A Council initiative to support local people with serious issues affecting their home lives has had a positive impact on the lives of 58 families since it launched in April 2013.
Connecting Families is run by the Council working with local partner organisations, and provides an intensive programme of support to families.
As a direct result of this there are children back in school who were previously playing truant or excluded; high levels of youth crime and anti-social behaviour have been reduced; adults are moving off benefits and into work.
As an additional result, some of the cost to local public services and burden on the taxpayer are reduced too.
In one case, a young person who has not been in education or employment for over a year is now attending a local Further Education College, has secured a work placement and housing.
He said that without Connecting Families he “…would still all be sat at home claiming job seekers allowance and would have no motivation”.
Another 15-year-old who had not been to school for two years is now receiving education through the Hospital Education Service as a result of Connecting Families.
She says she is now more confident, is able to deal with her anxiety and depression and has secured a place with training provider KTS.
The scheme is on track to meet the Council’s target of making a difference to 215 families in Bath & North East Somerset by May 2015.
Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Cllr Paul Crossley, said: “It’s good to see how this support is already making a big difference and improving the lives of many local families.
“Our approach is to ensure that each family has a named keyworker, who brings together services and agencies that can help the family. Together with the family they can decide on changes that are needed, draw up an action plan and, crucially, provide practical, hands-on support. It’s great to see how this is already benefiting so many local families.”
Head of the Government’s Troubled Families programme Louise Casey CBE said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council deserves credit for taking up the challenge of the Troubled Families programme and achieving results so quickly.
“By dealing with all the family members and all of their problems in an intensive way we are finally getting to grips with problems which may have persisted for generations, giving hope to people who have often been failed in the past and relief for the communities that suffered the effects of their behaviour.”
