Early intervention
Councils are reforming children's services and integrating preventative health and social care to enhance early intervention.
Wandsworth Council is addressing significant challenges in its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, including budget overspends, with proposals outlined in September 2026 to safeguard performance. Redbridge Council's Cabinet approved a Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy in September 2026 to provide accommodation for children in care. Hackney Council is overhauling children's social care with its 'Families First Partnership Programme', establishing a neighbourhood-based Family Help service in September 2026 to prioritise early intervention.
Ealing Council approved a £60 million Better Care Fund plan for 2026/27 in September 2026, focusing on integrated and preventative health and social care services. Havering Council agreed in September 2026 to review its mental wellbeing support services to identify gaps and improve coordination. Kensington and Chelsea Council is investing in early intervention services for young people's mental health due to long waiting times, as discussed in July 2026.
Hackney Council's Cabinet is scheduled to discuss early intervention in October 2026. The topic involves providing support and services at the earliest possible stage to prevent problems from escalating, particularly for children and families. Brent Council's Cabinet approved insourcing Best Start Family Hubs support services from April 2027 to create an integrated council-led Family Hub and Early Help model.
Key facts
- Wandsworth Council's Interim Executive Director of Children's Services outlined proposals to safeguard performance amidst SEND service pressures in September 2026. Source
- Redbridge Council's Cabinet approved the Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026–2029 in September 2026. Source
- Ealing Council approved a £60 million plan for the Better Care Fund for the 2026/27 financial year in September 2026. Source
- Hackney Council is implementing a 'Families First Partnership Programme' to overhaul children's social care, as reported in September 2026. Source 1 Source 2
- Brent Council's Cabinet approved the insourcing of Best Start Family Hubs support services from April 1, 2027. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.