Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026

31 March 2026

This new statutory guidance on multi-agency working outlines what organisations and agencies must and should do to help, protect and promote the welfare of all babies, children and young people under the age of 18 in England.

Changes include: identifying, understanding and challenging racism and discrimination; recognising the specific needs and experiences of babies; understanding the impact of domestic abuse on children and families; information on Operation Encompass; consideration of children experiencing simultaneous harms or multiple harms; strengthened inclusion of children in care; and guidance on Family Help. 

The DfE has also updated its supporting information for local areas on embedding Working Together to Safeguard Children and its statutory Children’s Social Care National framework for those who work in local authority children’s social care.

• Read the guidance: Working together to safeguard children  
• Read the supporting information: Improving practice with children, young people and families
• Access the framework: Children’s social care national framework[PDF].

NSPCC Learning have also published  a really useful CASPAR briefing summarising the changes: Key changes introduced in Working together to safeguard children 2026