Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: September 30, 2025

Purpose: To inform Members of the Families First Partnership Reform Agenda, how it is proposed this is governed and seek approval to recruit additional programme management capacity to deliver the reforms

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services, which sought approval of the the governance arrangements to oversee the co-design and implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme in Rochdale.   The Cabinet Member Education and Children’s Services delivered a brief summary of the report’s key points.   The Children’s Services Principal Transformation Lead was in attendance to present the information and to address the questions and the comments of the Cabinet Members.   The Officer informed that to support Local Authorities to deliver the Children’s Social Care reforms outlined in the Children’s Wellbeing and School Bill and Families First Partnership Programme guide March 2025, Rochdale Borough Council had received a £1.724m Prevention Grant from the Department for Education (DfE).   The conditions of the grant outlined expectations to utilise up to 30% of the grant for transformation resources to support the Local Authority to deliver significant reforms as well as to support the delivery of partnership services under a new operating model.   The report outlined how the new policy change and programme would be delivered in Rochdale and sought approval of the resources required to ensure smooth implementation in line with the national guidance.   Resolved: 1.     That the Council’s implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme in Rochdale Borough be noted; 2.     That the governance arrangements to oversee the co-design and implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme in Rochdale be approved; 3.     That the use of £1.01m funded by the Prevention Grant to recruit the roles as detailed in sections 4 - 5 to drive design and delivery be approved; 4.     That authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education, to approve and implement minor amendments to the Families First Partnership Programme, including adjustments to programme delivery, implementation timelines, and the allocation of funding within the scope of the Prevention Grant, where such changes are necessary to ensure effective delivery and alignment with national guidance.   Reason for decision: The Families First Partnership reforms were national guidance and not voluntary. Local Authorities were required to implement the reforms and report to the Department of Education about the progress of the work.   Alternatives considered and rejected: If the local authority did not deliver the reforms they would be likely to be deemed to be Inadequate by Ofsted at the next inspection.   If the programme was not resourced adequately to deliver, this would impact on the ability to demonstrate corporate commitment to the reforms and they would not be delivered effectively, this was likely to result in a poor inspection outcome.