New guidance has been launched to help frontline staff identify families in need of early intervention.

In the first of a series of manuals, the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) and College of Policing have published information on early warning signs and prevention techniques to ensure families in the community receive adequate support.

The guide indicates how poor living conditions, disengagement from school, domestic abuse or aggressive behaviour in young people could indicate a need for greater support from public services.

Dealing with young offenders, domestic violence where children are present and anti-social behaviour costs public services around £5.2bn a year.

Carey Oppenheim, EIF chief executive, said that 'all too often' the police are the first agency to come into contact with a parent, child or family in need of help.

'Early intervention needs to be embedded in the work of all frontline professionals, it's not just something early intervention workers or teams do. The first worker in the door or who makes contact needs to know what to look out for and how to respond,' Oppenheim said.

'This is not about the police doing everything. In fact, it's about easing the burden on police by reducing the likelihood that problems will escalate.

'It's about working in partnership to make sure that families get support that enables them to change their behaviour and lifestyle. That will mean not only less crime but also children with much better life chances.'