eir case management system to deliver the first pillar of the Families First framework. They welcome the practice changes, but they want the CMS adaptation to be right, first time. An overarching concern is that they are being asked to start to make changes before the DfE guidance is available to support them and their CMS suppliers, and this includes the statutory reporting requirements for 2027-8. CMS suppliers must be confident that the investment they make in their product will meet the new statutory requirements. If they do not, they could end up having to repeat elements of their development. Apart from the adverse impact on the suppliers, who say they operate in a relatively low-margin market, this could also impact on customers who have to implement system changes more than once, which is also costly on them. LAs say they would like to see a programme and roadmap agreed which takes their concerns into account, and one which recognises that there has to be a specific order in which changes are implemented. 1) Publication of the 2027-28 Statutory Data Collection Specifications, to help CMS suppliers redesign their products. This should also cover transitional reporting requirements i.e. those reporting items that should continue until the Local Authority switches to the new Family Help model. 2) Generic CMS change requirements gathered from pilot and non-pilot sites (forming a steering group) to ensure these are broad and flexible enough for CMS suppliers to translate into product changes that can support the variations in practice and operational services in the Local Authorities, minimising the need for bespoke configuration work by the supplier. The steering group should include LAs from across the 4 suppliers. P a g e 2 | 5 3) Consultation activities involving