Council leaders have called for continued funding for the Troubled Families programme after an evaluation found the scheme has helped hundreds of thousands of families.
The national evaluation found the scheme had reduced the number of children going into care by a third, reduced the proportion of adults going to prison by a quarter, and helped more people find employment.
Dame Louise Casey said: ‘Since 2012, the first and current Troubled Families Programmes have - very deliberately - shaken up the way families with complex problems are supported, ensuring they are identified earlier to get the help they need, which is completely focused on helping families live better lives.’
She added: ‘This evaluation shows it was absolutely right to have invested so much in this approach since 2012.’
Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, said: ‘Councils have played a pivotal role in making the Troubled Families Programme a success for some of the most vulnerable families, and we urge the Government to continue funding this vital service.
’This is one of the few remaining sources of early intervention funding for councils, with the Government’s Early Intervention Grant cut by £600m since 2013.’
Dame Casey told The MJ the latest evaluation has vindicated the popularity of the Troubled Families programme within the sector.
