Extra support announced for Troubled Families

Robert Jenrick has announced that families with deep rooted problems will receive much-needed support to get their lives back on track with up to £165 million of new government funding.

The Communities Secretary said that the renewed Troubled Families programme will provide intensive support for some of the most vulnerable families, prioritising a focus on early intervention across local services.

The funding will be used to tackle complex inter-connected problems including unemployment, poor school attendance, mental health issues, anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse.

Compared to families with similar characteristics who have not been on the programme, the latest evaluation results show that 19-24 months after starting to receive support: the proportion of children on the programme going into care has reduced by a third; the proportion of adults on the programme going to prison has reduced by a quarter and juvenile convictions reduced by 15 per cent; and more people on the programme are back in work, with 10 per cent fewer people claiming Jobseekers Allowance.

Jenrick said: “The Troubled Families programme will help more people in need get access to the early, practical and coordinated support to transform their lives for the better. This is the right thing to do for families and for society as a whole, and these reforms will reduce the demand and dependency on costly, reactive key public services.

“We want to build on the success of the programme in the coming year, delivering on our manifesto commitment to ensure we reach all those who could benefit from the programme – from the early years and throughout their lives.”