30 June 2026

The Department for Education has launched a consultation on updates to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, the Children’s Social Care National Framework 2026, and the policy underpinning Multi-Agency Child Protection Team regulations. 

The consultation is now live on GOV.UK.

These proposals form part of wider reforms to strengthen clarity, accountability and multi-agency working. This consultation will inform:

The consultation seeks views on:  

  • Accountability of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, including leadership, accountability and the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer;  
  • multi-agency child protection teams; 
  • the delivery of Family Help and earlier more joined-up support for families
  • family networks and family group decision making
  • a strengthened response to extra familial harms
  • child protection for looked-after children
  • responding to potential for extreme violence
  • enduring relationships for looked after children and care leavers
  • implementation of the Children’s Social Care National Framework. 

The consultation closes on 4 September 2026.  

From July to August, you are invited to attend consultation webinars, offering an opportunity to explore and better understand the consultation, alongside giving your views. This includes: 

Two general overview webinars: Please note - both sessions will cover the same information, please only sign up to one of the general overview webinars 

  • Click here to register for general overview webinar 1: Thursday 30 July, 11:00am – 12:30pm 
  • Click here to register for general overview webinar 2: Thursday 27 August, 1:30 – 3:00pm 

Webinars:  

  • Click here to register for the health webinar: Monday 3 August, 11:00am – 12:30pm 

Five deep-dive webinars on key policy proposals:  

  • Click here to register for the ‘Voice of children and their families’ webinar: Tuesday 1 September, 10:30am – 12:00pm  
  • Click here to register for the ‘Multi-agency safeguarding arrangements’ webinar: Wednesday 19 August, 10:00am – 11:30am  
  • Click here to register for the ‘Help and support’ webinar: Thursday 6 August, 1:30pm – 3:00pm  
  • Click here to register for the ‘Protection’ webinar: Tuesday 28 July, 10:00am – 11:30am 
  • Click here to register for the ‘Improving outcomes’ webinar: Thursday 23 July, 3:00pm – 4:30pm 

Capacity is limited to 250 registrations per event, so please sign up early to secure your place.   

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