Practical approaches for families first and beyond: Webinar resources
Published:
Research in Practice hosted an open invitation webinar which brought together professionals, researchers, local authority staff, and practitioners to explore the central role of “voice” and information within the transformation of children and family services, with a specific focus on the Families First Partnership Programme.
These resources were developed by the Children’s Information Project Learning Network, which is funded by the Nuffield Strategic Fund and hosted by the University of Oxford in partnership with the University of Sussex, the London School of Economics and four Local Authority partners.
As part of the Children's Information Project, Research in Practice hosted an open invitation webinar on 'Embedding Voice in System Transformation: Practical Approaches for Families First and Beyond', held on 12 November 2025.
The webinar
The webinar brought together professionals, researchers, local authority staff, and practitioners to explore the central role of “voice” and information within the transformation of children and family services, with a specific focus on the Families First Partnership Programme. Participants discussed ways to meaningfully engage children, young people, and families in the design and delivery of services, ensuring that diverse voices shape policy, practice, and outcomes.
Resources
Three video presentations and slides from the webinar are as follows.
Using the voice of children and families in co-design
Amy Hawkes, implementation lead at the DfE for the Families First Partnership Programme, provided an overview of the national initiative. Amy talks through the programme’s aims - supporting local authorities in redesigning and co-producing help and protection services through collaboration with families and communities.
Amy discussed the importance of local flexibility, co-design with children and families, and the practical steps and challenges involved in the ongoing transformation process.
Length: 8 minutes.
Why voice matters in transformation
Sophie Woodhead, NCB: Research in Practice, situated voice within a broader theoretical and practical context, emphasising its significance for accountability, trust, and ethical practice in children’s services. She outlined the Framework for Ethical and Effective Information Use which puts voice at the heart of systems design and transformation - not just as consultation, but as genuine power sharing, agency, and co-production.
Length: 11 minutes.
Integrating voice into system design: Examples of voice shaping system design
Sarah Rothera (Associate, Research in Practice) spotlighted real-world examples and local innovations for bringing voice and participation into service improvement. Drawing from projects in areas like Rochdale (co-production in outcomes frameworks), Sefton (restorative and user-centred complaints processes), and the use of technology to capture voice, Sarah demonstrated both the opportunities and obstacles of embedding voice at a practical level.
Length: 13 minutes.
Embedding voice in system transformation: PowerPoint slide deck PDF Download
Breakout room participation
During the breakout rooms, participants had the opportunity to share local examples, innovations, and challenges around embedding voice and participation into service improvement, while learning from one another’s diverse experiences. In the concluding plenary session, the group highlighted practical solutions, and ideas for tools, case studies, and frameworks to support this work in the future. This collaborative exchange provided concrete ideas for ongoing resource development.