Key Points
- Hounslow Council is inviting families to share experiences of children’s services as part of the national Families First Partnership Programme.
- The initiative reviews how the council works with children and families to ensure right support at the right time, as early as possible.
- Two anonymous surveys are open: one for young people with experience of children’s services and one for adults.
- Surveys close on Saturday, 31 January 2026, and are accessible via Families First Survey | Let’s Talk Hounslow.
- Feedback will help identify what works well, areas for improvement, and shape services around families’ real needs.
- The council seeks input from those engaging with specific services: Children’s Social Care (including social workers or qualified workers), Early Help Adolescent Support and Prevention Team (ASaP, formerly Adolescent Support Team) for youth offending, exploitation, anti-social behaviour, online/sexual/criminal exploitation, identity-based harm, and school exclusions.
- Also targeted: Early Help for children with disabilities (family support workers, Short Breaks for 0-18 year olds), and Family Group Conferencing with independent coordinators.
- Physical survey copies available at Hounslow’s Community Hubs and Libraries.
- Councillor Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Education, Children, Skills & Employment, urges participation to build earlier, joined-up support.
Hounslow (West London News) January 22, 2026 – Hounslow Council has launched a public consultation under the national Families First Partnership Programme to gather feedback on its children’s services, aiming to refine support for families through anonymous surveys closing on 31 January.
Residents, particularly those with direct experience, are encouraged to participate in two tailored surveys—one for young people and one for adults—accessible online at the Let’s Talk Hounslow platform. The effort seeks to ensure services deliver timely, effective interventions, with responses shaping future provisions.
What Is the Families First Partnership Programme?
The Families First Partnership Programme represents a national initiative focused on enhancing multi-agency collaboration for children and families. In Hounslow, this translates to a comprehensive review of service delivery, prioritising early intervention.
As outlined in the council’s official announcement, the programme underscores the need for “right support at the right time – and as early as possible.” Participation helps the council pinpoint strengths and gaps, directly influencing how “early, joined-up support is delivered in the future.”
This aligns with broader UK efforts to streamline children’s services, emphasising family-centric design over generic approaches.
Who Should Participate in the Surveys?
Hounslow Council targets anyone with experience of its children’s services. Specific areas include Children’s Social Care, where individuals may have been linked to a social worker or alternatively qualified worker.
The call extends to users of the Early Help Adolescent Support and Prevention Team (ASaP), formerly the Adolescent Support Team. This covers youth offending, exploitation—including grooming, anti-social behaviour, online, sexual, and criminal exploitation—identity-based harm, and school exclusions.
Further, feedback is sought from Early Help for children with disabilities, involving family support workers and Short Breaks. These provide fun opportunities away from families for children and young people aged 0 to 18 with disabilities.
Family Group Conferencing, where families develop care plans with independent coordinators, also features prominently.
All responses remain anonymous, fostering candid input without fear of identification.
How Can Residents Access and Complete the Surveys?
Surveys are primarily online via Families First Survey | Let’s Talk Hounslow, open until Saturday, 31 January 2026. This digital format ensures ease of access for most participants.
For those preferring paper versions, physical copies are available at Hounslow’s Community Hubs and Libraries. This accommodates varying technological access and preferences.
The council stresses that completing the surveys directly aids in “understand[ing] what is working well, identify[ing] where improvements can be made.”
What Does Councillor Samia Chaudhary Say?
Councillor Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Education, Children, Skills & Employment at Hounslow Council, emphasised the value of resident voices. As reported in the council’s statement, she said:
“Listening to children, young people and families is essential to making sure our services truly meet their needs.”
She continued:
“By sharing their experiences, residents will help us build earlier, more joined-up support that makes a real difference at the right time. I would encourage all families and young people who have engaged with children’s services to take advantage of this opportunity to shape the future of children’s services in Hounslow.”
Her comments highlight the consultative process’s role in service evolution.
Why Is This Feedback Crucial for Hounslow Families?
Feedback from this engagement will “directly inform how early, joined-up support is delivered in the future,” ensuring services align with real needs. The council aims to move beyond assumptions, basing reforms on lived experiences.
This proactive stance addresses potential vulnerabilities early, potentially averting escalation to more intensive interventions. For instance, insights from ASaP users could refine responses to exploitation risks.
In a borough like Hounslow, with diverse communities, tailored services prove vital for equity.
What Services Are Under Review?
Children’s Social Care
This encompasses connections to social workers or qualified workers, forming the frontline for at-risk children.
Early Help ASaP
Formerly Adolescent Support Team, it tackles youth offending, grooming, anti-social behaviour, online/sexual/criminal exploitation, identity-based harm, and school exclusions.
Disability Support
Early Help for children with disabilities includes family support workers and Short Breaks for ages 0-18, offering respite and recreation.
Family Group Conferencing
Families craft care plans with independent coordinator support, promoting self-directed solutions.
No aspect is overlooked; the council invites comprehensive input.
How Does This Fit National Efforts?
The Families First Partnership Programme exemplifies a coordinated national push for integrated children’s services. Hounslow’s participation positions it as a proactive local authority.
By embedding resident feedback, the council adheres to evidence-based policymaking, a hallmark of effective governance.
What Happens After the Surveys Close?
Post-31 January, collated anonymous responses will analyse service efficacy. Outcomes will guide structural and procedural enhancements.
The council commits to using insights for “design[ing] [services] around the real needs of families,” promising tangible improvements.
Broader Context in Hounslow
Hounslow, in west London, serves a vibrant, multicultural population. Children’s services here navigate complex needs, from disability support to exploitation prevention.
This consultation reinforces community involvement, a cornerstone of local democracy. With physical access points like libraries, inclusivity remains paramount.
Potential Impact on Families
Participants shape a responsive ecosystem, potentially yielding faster Early Help referrals or refined Short Breaks. For adolescents, better ASaP targeting could curb exclusions and exploitation.
Councillor Chaudhary’s call underscores urgency: voices now forge tomorrow’s safeguards.
Participation Details Recap
- Online: https://talk.hounslow.gov.uk/families-first-survey
- Paper: Community Hubs/Libraries
- Deadline: 31 January 2026
- Anonymous: All responses protected
Hounslow Council’s initiative exemplifies participatory governance, inviting all eligible residents to contribute.
