William Eichler 11 April 2024

Seven areas selected for £45m child protection trial

Seven more areas in England have been selected to trial the Families First for Children (FFC) scheme, a £45m child protection programme.

The scheme was launched in three areas in 2023 after reports into the murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson in 2020 and a child care review in 2022.

It is designed to provide early help for families experiencing domestic abuse, addiction or poor mental health. It involves the wider family in decision making and introduces stronger multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

After initial testing in Dorset, Lincolnshire and Wolverhampton, FCC will be implemented in Luton, Redbridge, Lewisham, Warrington, Walsall, Warwickshire and the Wirral.

#Mental Health #Children #Domestic abuse #Addiction

Analysis

Fighting the Fakes: The battle against AI disinformation

The Electoral Commission has launched a deepfake detection pilot ahead of May's elections. LocalGov's editor William Eichler finds out how it works.

Opinion

Turning AI ambition into results in local government

Stuart MacDonald, COO at TechnologyOne, argues that councils embracing AI must get the basics right first or else risk technology accelerating inefficiencies.

Most Popular News

Local Elections 2026: Results show Reform surge and Labour losses

All change: Reform UK projected to make huge gains as local elections get underway

Reform-led Lancs council to pull out of refugee resettlement scheme

Mayor steps into chief executive row with Reform UK councillors

Reform UK: What Britain’s fastest rising party stands for

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Acrospire Delivers Durable Handrail Lighting Upgrade for Historical Landmark Jacob’s Ladder

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Company Anouncements

Vent-Axia Welcomes the Future Homes Standard as Competency Takes Centre Stage

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Vent-Axia Welcomes Healthy Homes Standard

Librarian

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Salary From £35,391- £42,888 Depending on Skills

Job Title

Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Communications Officer

£39,862 to £42,839

Wyre Council is seeking an experienced and creative Senior Communications Officer to join our Communications and Visitor Economy Service. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire

Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council