Working Together 2026
On the 18th March 2026 the DfE published refreshed versions of the following two pieces of key statutory guidance:
- Children’s Social Care National Framework 2026 (National Framework)
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 (Working Together)
Updates to Working Together reflect an ongoing commitment to strengthen multi-agency help, support and protection and include:
- Aligning with Families First Partnership programme reforms, including clarifying that Family Help now brings together Targeted Early Help and Section 17 support into a single, more seamless offer
- Reinforcing expectations for multi-agency child protection
- Strengthening responses to child sexual abuse, domestic abuse and the safeguarding of babies, unborn children and children in any care arrangement, including those who are looked after
- Streamlining the chapter on learning from serious safeguarding incidents to provide clearer direction on when and how incidents should be notified and reviewed
- A stronger focus on anti-racist, anti-discriminatory and culturally informed practice
A full summary of the changes is available here.
We are aware that we make reference to Working Together 2023 in a multitude of our procedures, briefings and other information.
Please be assured any hyperlinks to Working Together 2023 will take you to the new guidance as we update our wording.