 as partner agencies, alongside other partners such as the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). The programme design specification, co-designed between Wave 1 local areas and DfE to support delivery of FFCP, sets out the key pillars of the programme and the minimum expectations for implementation. 6 The design specification was revised by DfE in October 2023, following a period of engagement from Wave 2 local areas. The Wave 2 design specification provides greater clarity on the roles and responsibilities of MACPTs, LCPPs and FHLPs compared to Wave 1. For pathfinder areas whose models do not align with the national guidance for the Families First Partnership programme, the DfE expect these areas to move towards the national design specification during the 25-26 year and will support areas in doing this. Wave 1 LAs are moving towards a delivery in line with the Wave 2 design specification. See Appendix 4 for a full comparison of the design specifications across both Waves. In November 2024, the Government also published its Local Government Finance policy statement 2025 to 2026, which announced a new ringfenced Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant, to support all local areas to roll out many of the reforms tested in FFCP. This investment will be delivered as a national programme, Families First Partnership programme, overseen by DfE and rolled out to all local areas in England and 6 FFC pathfinder: Design specification 15 their local partners (including police, health and education), with transformation from April 2025. In November 2024, the new government confirmed its continued commitment to the FFCP programme and policy reform, within its policy paper Keeping children safe, helping families thrive - GOV.UK Figure 1: Timeline of the implementation of FFCP across Wa