Almost £7 million to support struggling families in Liverpool

Liverpool City Council will receive early access to almost £7 million of funding to support struggling families to turn their lives around as part of the Liverpool Families Programme.

Funded by the Government’s Troubled Families initiative, the programme works with parents and children who are affected by unemployment, domestic abuse, health problems, school absence, children in need and crime, with funding currently given on the basis of payment by results.

The council’s success to date means it is one of 11 local authorities which has applied for what is known as ‘earned autonomy’ status, enabling the council to receive £6.8 million of funding upfront to accelerate investment in services to support those who need it.

Gail Porter, director of the Families Programme, said: “Assisting families before they get into crisis is working, and has led to a reduction in the number of referrals to children’s social care and a drop in young people on child protection plans. But demand for our services is still far too high and we need to redouble our efforts to help problems spiralling out of control.

“We have made good strides, albeit from a very low base, in improving school readiness, and are also working very closely with schools and parents to get the message out that every lesson counts when it comes to attendance. We want to use this funding to extend this work. We also want to use some of the money to provide more services with our colleagues in health to give mums and dads the support they need so that babies and toddlers get the best start in life.”