Lewisham has been chosen to trial government reforms to children's social care - one of only seven local authorities to be selected.

This trial is part of the new 'Families First for Children' pathfinder programme initiated by the government.

Its objective is the improvement of services so that more children can remain in safe, loving homes within their families.

The Pathfinder programme also aims to protect vulnerable children from harm.

For struggling families, for example due to domestic abuse, addiction or poor mental health, the programme will ensure that assistance is readily available.

This approach is aimed at early intervention, helping families counter these issues before they escalate and put children at risk of harm.

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When child protection actions are needed, they will be undertaken by experienced social workers.

These professionals will work with others in multi-agency teams, ensuring the wider family remains involved in the decision-making process.

The announcement of Lewisham Council's successful bid for this program follows its 'Good' rating from Ofsted for providing 'high quality help and support' to families.

This assessment also included delivering 'better outcomes for children'.

The pathfinder initiative, with national backing of up to £19.5 million, forms part of the government’s children's social care reform strategy.

The approach, which places a particular emphasis on early intervention, is geared towards providing best practice child protection wherever needed.

Lewisham Council has been awarded £3.3 million for the reform trial.

The programme will test various reforms including strengthened support for wider family members like grandparents, aunts or uncles.

This support can assist them in stepping in to help children continue living with their parents.

This might involve assistance with additional weekly costs, purchasing a new bed, or topping up lost wages.

Councillor Chris Barnham, Lewisham’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: "This is great news for our families and young people.

"Few things we do are more important than helping families to stay together through challenging circumstances and giving them the best possible chance to thrive in the future.

"Being selected as a pathfinder speaks volumes about the great strides our staff have made in providing consistent and high-quality support to children and families across the borough."

These comprehensive social care reforms are informed by the government's Stable Homes, Built on Love strategy, as well as recommendations from the Independent Review of Children's Social Care, led by Josh MacAlister, and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s review into the tragic deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson.

These reviews revealed that the care system was often fragmented and struggled to meet the needs of children and families across England.