Thomas Bridge 10 July 2014

Pickles welcomes new results on troubled families

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has applauded council efforts to support almost 53,000 of England’s most troubled families over the past two years.

Speaking at the Local Government Association conference in Bournemouth, Pickles revealed the Government programme had ‘turned around’ 52,833 families since April 2012.

‘To have helped so many families so quickly is testament to the hard work and determination of troubled families teams across the country,’ he said.

The communities secretary pointed to authorities such as Wakefield, which has ‘turned around’ around 85% out of its 930 troubled families.

But he added local authorities had been helping households ‘in every corner of the country’.

In a wide ranging speech to conference delegates – which included quotes from book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Pickles said local government had ‘coped remarkably well’ in what he termed ‘this challenging time’.

Yet the communities secretary pushed town halls to do more on cost cutting, adding: ‘Councils are still spending £100bn a year. There is still a great deal of best practice to show how efficiency savings can be made and we still have only scratched the surface by embracing better procurement, cutting fraud and increasing joint working.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester Banbury

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £47754
You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the FSP Workbook modules, and a strengths-based approach, ensuring the As Bicester
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Executive Director of Resources & Governance (S151 Officer)

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Homes, Communities & Environment

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Strategy, People & Transformation

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council
Linkedin Banner