Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 – What’s New and What It Means for Our Partnership
The Department for Education has now published Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, alongside a refreshed statutory framework, a summary of changes, and new practice‑support guidance to help local areas embed the reforms. Together, these documents set the national expectations for how partners work collaboratively to support, protect and safeguard children and families.
A clearer, more inclusive safeguarding system
The updated Working Together 2026 guidance reinforces that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and applies to all children, including those who are looked after, living in kinship care, adopted, or where there are concerns during pregnancy. There is a stronger emphasis on inclusive, anti‑discriminatory practice, with clear expectations that organisations and practitioners actively challenge racism and inequality and understand how these issues can affect children’s experiences of safeguarding.
Stronger multi‑agency accountability
The guidance provides greater clarity about multi‑agency safeguarding arrangements, including roles, responsibilities and accountability across safeguarding partners. There is an increased focus on how partnerships use data, share information and evidence the impact of safeguarding arrangements on children and families, not just activity. Annual reports are expected to demonstrate learning and improvement.
A more joined‑up approach to help, support and protection
A key change is the continued development of Family Help, bringing together early help and statutory support into a more seamless, coordinated offer. The guidance highlights the importance of consistent relationships for families, multidisciplinary working, and clear planning that responds to children experiencing multiple and overlapping risks, including exploitation, domestic abuse, online harm and harm outside the home.
Updated statutory framework
Alongside Working Together, the revised statutory framework sets out national expectations for children’s social care and safeguarding practice. It reinforces a child‑centred, whole‑family approach, strengthens expectations for multi‑agency child protection practice, and aligns safeguarding more closely with wider children’s social care reforms.
New guidance to support local implementation
The Department for Education has also published Supporting local areas to embed Working Together and the national framework. This is non‑statutory guidance designed to help partnerships translate national expectations into local systems and practice. It focuses on building consistency, strengthening multi‑agency collaboration, using evidence and data effectively, and supporting continuous improvement. It introduces a flexible Explore, Prepare, Deliver, Sustain cycle to support local learning and development.
What this means for our partnership
These updates provide a clear national direction and an opportunity to reflect on how we work together locally. Over the coming months, our partnership will continue to review local arrangements, share learning, and support partners to embed the updated guidance into everyday practice—keeping our focus on early support, effective collaboration, and improved outcomes for children and families.
You can access the full documents and summaries via GOV.UK:
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