Project Description

The Families First programme was developed to support social workers to offer the intensive family support that is needed over a longer timeframe, and to sustain positive relationships with children and families over time.

Families First involved the creation of ten integrated, co-located, and mixed-skill social work teams to work with the most complex families, a programme of workforce development focused on reflective and holistic practices and a programme of communications and change management to minimise disruption.

Evaluation

The DfE-funded independent evaluation published in 2017 found that Durham County Council was still implementing and embedding the Families First changes, with more time needed to fully assess impacts.