Latest updates
February 2026: Our programme team and Hodge Hill pilot
The families first programme team is now up and running, and we have started connecting with colleagues across the partnership in our pilot district, Hodge Hill.
We are also building stronger relationships with children, young people, and families across Birmingham to help shape what Birmingham Families First will look like.
We want to work alongside partners, stakeholders, and families to:
- understand how we can offer support earlier
- build practice around what families really need,
- create a consistent way of working across the partnership.
We are looking at how:
- things can run more smoothly
- we can work better together
- we can make services feel more joined up
We will be sharing regular updates so practitioners and families know:
- what is happening in the pilot
- what it means for them
- how they can get involved
Meet the programme team
Hannah Hinton
Hannah is our programme lead and has worked for Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Children’s Trust for 20 years in various roles. Hannah leads the strategic oversight of the project with a particular focus on leadership and governance.
Carolyn Daly
Carolyn is a programme officer, with a focus on ways of working and workforce development. Carolyn is currently on secondment from the NHS Community Health Trust.
Carolyn has 40 years’ service with the NHS.
Richard Greaves
Richard is a Programme Officer, with a focus on ways of working and workforce development. Richard has been at Birmingham Children’s Trust for 17 years, primarily working in family support / early help.
Victoria Gee
Victoria is one of our programme officers. Her passion for data aligns well with her role leading on digital systems, engagement and co-production.
Victoria has a background in children’s social care as a qualified social worker.
Tiffeny Wright
Tiffeny works alongside Victoria as programme officer leading on engagement and co-production. Tiffeny has a strong background in project management, coupled with healthcare experience gained with our partner agency, Birmingham Community Health Care.
Bianca John
Bianca is our talented business support officer who keeps us organised and supports with the project management.
The Hodge Hill pilot
The district leadership team is now in place, and we are developing an understanding of how we can move towards improving the early offers to families.
We are using what currently exists and building frameworks around these to improve consistency across the partnership.
We will be testing new options and take the learning, including sustainability, to inform the wider rollout across all districts.
About the district leadership team
- Chris Holness, Service Clinical Manager – health visitors / school nurse, Birmingham Community Health Care Foundation Trust
- Maria Barnett, Interim Safeguarding Specialist – education safeguarding team, Birmingham City Council
- Leanda Brotheridge, Head of Service – east targeted family help, Birmingham Children’s Trust
- Riffat Shaheen, Family Hub Manager – family hub lead
- Mary Lewis, Children's Services Manager – voluntary sector lead, Barnardo’s
- Natalie Haymes and Zahida Parveen – parent representatives
We are a multi-disciplinary team that will be part of the district leadership team.
Page last updated: 20 February 2026
