Continuum of Need Guidance For All Who Work With Children and Families in Plymouth
We are pleased to announce the launch of Plymouth’s new Building Support for Families document.
This is the agreed Partnership framework for how we understand the different levels of need families experience and how we work together with families to support children and young people, including where there are safeguarding concerns.
Throughout 2026, partners across the City have worked collaboratively to develop this resource, drawing on extensive consultation and feedback from practitioners.
The document has been designed to meet the needs of frontline professionals as a conversational facilitator. It aligns with the Families First Partnership Programme and reflects the approach taken across the Peninsula, making it accessible and easy to use for those working across the wider region.
Alongside the document, we are also launching an introductory video, which you will find below, to support understanding and implementation.
Over the coming weeks, we will publish a “You Said, We Did” summary from the consultation process, this will highlight how feedback has shaped the final document, outline the changes that have been made, and respond to themes and questions raised during engagement events.
We will also be developing a regularly updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource. If you have any questions about the document, please contact the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Partnership at PSCP@plymouth.gov.uk.
Questions received will help inform future updates to the FAQ and support shared understanding across the partnership.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and feedback throughout the development process.
Please Click Here to find the Building Support for Families in Plymouth.
Visit partners over at Research in Practice for some more information about having courageous conversations.
All our multi-agency training has been updated to reflect this approach to safeguarding and think about how it links into all areas of safeguarding. You can view and book our training courses here.