DfE consultation and webinars on policies, publication and reforms

Posted on 25 June 2026 in News and updates

The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking views on proposals to update Working Together to Safeguard Children, the Children’s Social Care National Framework, and the policy that will underpin the development of multi-agency child protection teams regulations.

The consultation is now live Improving help and child protection: revised framework – Introduction – Department for Education – Citizen Space and 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 DfE want to understand whether the proposals are clear, practical to implement, and likely to improve outcomes for children and their families.

Your feedback will help shape future policy and guidance for child protection and family support services in England.

Responses are welcome from:

Local authorities; health organisations and professionals; police forces; schools, colleges and education providers; voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations; parents and carers; anyone with an interest in improving outcomes for children and families.

Children and young people can complete the separate consultation designed specifically for children and young people here.

The consultation closes on 4 September 2026.

Webinars:

The DfE are also 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)

Four sector-specific webinars:

Five deep-dive webinars on key policy proposals:

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