Les Bonner

An independent assessment of the pilot family intervention projects shows positive outcomes among many of the families with a record of antisocial behaviour problems who had been targeted.

Among the 699 families that had completed the project, two-thirds were no longer involved in antisocial behaviour and the number of families facing eviction because of their behaviour had reduced from 47 per cent to 15 per cent.
 
Reports of truancy, exclusion and bad behaviour fell from 56% to 25% of those completing the project. Concerns over child protection among this group also fell by 23% to 13%.
 
Drug and alcohol problems and reports of domestic abuse were also reduced.
 
The government has released guidance for housing associations and children’s services to bid to run an expansion of the projects.
 
Earlier this month, the government announced its £15m Challenge Fund, which includes £7.5m from housing providers and the same amount from government to extend existing FIPs and run new projects.
 
Clare Tickell, Action for Children chief executive, said:

“We are delighted that Government is investing extra funding into Family Intervention Projects in recognition that this model works. However, it’s crucial that  services are  rolled out  in a way that is true to its original form and builds on best practice. Family Intervention is most effective when all agencies work together at a local level - this is key to providing the best possible support to the UK’s most vulnerable families.”