Client: Department for Education (DfE) Date: March 2025 – Current Challenges faced by the client: The Department for Education (DfE) launched the Families First Partnership (FFP) programme in 2025 to support the national rollout of children's social care reforms across England. Building on learning from the Families First for Children Pathfinder (FFCP) programme, the reforms aim to create a more joined-up, family-centred system that helps children and families access the righ

Client: Department for Education (DfE) Date: June – December 2025 Challenges faced by the client: The DfE was looking to introduce a statutory duty for local authorities to offer Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) to families at the pre-proceedings stage, via the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. FGDM also forms an important part of the 'family networks' pillar of the Families First Pathfinder (FFP) reforms. To this end, the DfE had a requirement for a delivery partner

Client: Westminster City Council Date: January – April 2026 Challenges faced by the client: Westminster has the highest rate of knife crime in London, and in particular, the North Paddington area experiences the most concentrated impact of youth‑related violence and exploitation. Serious youth violence in North Paddington is shaped by complex, overlapping factors that sit across organisational and service boundaries - including trauma, mental health, financial pressures, expl

Client: Department for Education Date: September 2025 – March 2026 Challenges faced by the client: Across England, many Designated Family Judge (DFJ) areas experience sustained delays in care proceedings, with a significant proportion of cases exceeding the 26-week statutory timeframe for completion. Delays in public law proceedings within the family justice system have significant consequences for children and families. These delays can leave children waiting for stability a

Client: Cheshire East Council, in partnership with Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse Date: 2025 Challenges faced by the client: Domestic abuse survivors often face a heightened risk of homelessness, with support typically focused on crisis response rather than prevention. Cheshire East Council and its partners were piloting the Whole Housing Approach (WHA), a coordinated model bringing together housing, health, and local services to improve outcomes for survivors. Howe

Client: Gedling Borough Council and the Greater Carlton Neighbourhood Board Date: Dec 2025 - Mar 2026 Challenges Faced by the Client: Following the submission of the Greater Carlton 10-year Pride in Place Plan and 4-year Investment Plan, Gedling Borough Council and the Greater Carlton Neighbourhood Board needed to move quickly from planning to delivery. This required detailed project specifications, procurement documentation and grant programme design to be developed in advan