Bromley Council's Executive has approved a significant reform plan for its children's services, aiming to create a more integrated and family-centred system of support and protection. The Bromley Children and Families Reform Programme
will consolidate national reforms, including the Best Start in Life Programme, Family Hubs, and the Families First Partnership Programme, into a single, cohesive framework.
The new model, which is scheduled for borough-wide implementation by April 2027, will see the creation of four locality-based Family Hubs. These hubs will act as accessible gateways to a range of services, from universal support to targeted interventions and safeguarding measures. The reforms aim to improve outcomes for children and families by strengthening prevention and early intervention, integrating targeted support within a Family Help
model, and enhancing multi-agency safeguarding through new Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams. These changes are designed to ensure families receive the right help at the right time, reducing duplication and improving continuity of care.
Community Vision in Penge has been designated as the initial test-and-learn site for this integrated approach. This pilot phase will allow the council to refine the operating model and gather insights before the wider rollout. The learning from this site will inform the final operating model, workforce requirements, partner expectations, digital requirements, estates planning, and implementation activity for borough-wide delivery by April 2027.
Services and Access
Family Hubs will provide accessible, place-based access to universal, community, and early intervention services. These hubs will connect families to health, education, early years provision, parenting support, voluntary sector services, Family Help, and wider community resources. The Children and Families Hub will remain the integrated front door for contacts, referrals, consultation, multi-agency information sharing, screening, and triage, with a physical presence in Family Hub locations. There are no specific eligibility criteria for accessing universal services at the Family Hubs, as they are designed to be universally available. Eligibility for targeted interventions will be determined through assessments conducted by Family Help Teams.
Family Help will integrate targeted Early Help and Section 17 Children in Need support, bringing together multidisciplinary practitioners for coordinated support through one assessment and plan where appropriate. Family Group Decision Making will be embedded throughout the continuum. Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams will integrate expertise from Children's Social Care, Health, Police, and Education for strengthened decision-making.
Funding and Budget
The transformation of Children's Services will be supported by ring-fenced grant funding and delivered within the existing core budget, alongside the delivery of savings and efficiencies as services are streamlined. Partnership contributions will support a model that is co-designed and delivered to reduce duplication and ensure that families receive the right help at the right time to prevent escalation of need.
Measuring Success
Transformation is assessed across four dimensions: financial benefits, demand reduction, service and resident outcomes, and organisational and system benefits. Evidence at mid-year shows lower numbers entering temporary accommodation pathways, reducing reliance on high-cost adult social care provision, and improved transitions for young people entering adult services. Digital portals for council tax, parking, planning, and social care have widened access. Staff engagement remains strong, evidenced by the Bromley Stars Transformation and Innovation Award and well-attended staff roadshows.
Councillor Jonathan Andrews, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Families, has endorsed Bromley's approach to delivering these reforms, emphasizing the programme's focus on creating a coordinated system that prioritizes the needs of children and families.
Further details on the reform programme can be found in the Public reports pack and Decisions documents from the Executive meeting.
