Embedding voice in system transformation: Practical approaches for Families First and beyond
Research in Practice have collated practical examples and resources for professionals involved in Families First transformation programmes and beyond. These resources draw on the principles set out in the Framework for ethical and effective information use developed by the Children’s Information Project.
These resources were developed by the Children’s Information Project Learning Network, which is funded by the Nuffield Strategic Fund and hosted by the University of Oxford in partnership with the University of Sussex, the London School of Economics and four Local Authority partners.
The Families First programme is a significant, system-wide transformation of children's social care in England, moving from a crisis-intervention model to one centred on early help and strengthening family networks. Local authorities are working towards embedding the core principles of this new approach, supported by new funding and guidance. As the Families First programme rolls out more widely, there is an opportunity to ensure that the system is not solely driven by quantitative data but also meaningfully incorporates the voices and experiences of those it serves.
The goal is to share ideas and practical examples and learn from each other about how to effectively embed the voices of children, families, practitioners, and the wider community into information system design and ways of working.
Find out more about Families First for Children (FFC) pathfinder programme and family networks pilot (FNP) and The 7 Lenses of Transformation.
The resources
Explore the full resources using the quick links. A brief overview of each section is also provided below.
Practical examples
Why voice matters in transformation
Embedding 'voice' in system design and transformation goes beyond simple consultation. It involves a commitment to actively listen and integrate diverse perspectives at every stage of system design and operation. This includes the voices of children, young people, parents and carers, practitioners, managers, other professionals and the wider community.
In the context of children's information, 'voice' can be understood in two key ways:
- Voice AS Information: This includes the rich, qualitative experiences, views, wishes, and feelings of children, young people, and their families. It is the information that forms the core of a child's record and story, but which can be filtered or lost in systems focused on quantitative data.
- Voice ABOUT Information: This involves the perspectives of all stakeholders on how information systems function. This covers how information is gathered, processed, shared, and used, ensuring the processes themselves are fair, transparent, and trustworthy.
A system transformation that doesn’t integrate multiple voices risks reinforcing existing biases, power struggles, and inequalities. By prioritising voice, we move from a 'tick-box' compliance culture to one built on trust, relational practice, and a shared commitment to social good.
To learn more, see our guidance on Why voice matters in system design and transformation
Ethical and effective information use
The Children's Information Project is developing a common ‘framework for effective information use’ that incorporates key design features and practices which have been identified in the relevant literature and through intensive fieldwork as essential dimensions of effective information use. The framework is intended to serve as a common definition to articulate what ethical and effective information use means in practice. The framework is in development and may be subject to change, however, it offers a helpful structure to consider integrating voice into system design and transformation.
The framework puts voice at the heart of ethical and effective information use. It enables better understanding of need and is intrinsically linked to better use of information and appropriate action. Four of the eight areas of practice and learning relate to voice:
- Use broad sources of local information
- Bring voice into co-design of information systems
- Enhance voice information in aggregate and strategic reporting systems
- Improve voice in operational information use
A range of factors related to infrastructure and governance and behaviours and culture influence how voice is gathered, processed, shared, and used.
See our guidance to learn more about the Framework for ethical and effective information use
What is happening in practice?
This section showcases innovative examples of how some local authorities gather, process, share, and use children's and families' information. These examples are relational or technology-driven, or a hybrid of both.
Children's Information Project
An innovative and collaborative project to improve the way that information about and from children, young people and families is used in local and national Government.
Learning is a team sport – Children’s Information project
An innovative collaboration between local authorities and universities will improve the way that information about and from children, young people and families is used in local and national Government. Learn about how a Learning Network will add value to the Children's Information project.