Family Intervention Projects Elaine Onyiuke DCSF

Key characteristics of Family Intervention Project model Effective multi agency arrangements in place to ensure: Families that need intensive/additional support are identified Effective referral pathways between services are in place Swift access to specialist services – removing high threshold barriers Information is shared Dedicated key worker: Low caseloads Assertive and persistent working methods, including use of contracts to set out expectations and support package Build trust with the family Coordinate the Team around the Family (TAF) Undertake whole family assessment to identify wider family support needs

‘Think Family’ interventions being rolled out across the country Family Intervention Projects (FIPs) Approx 250 FIPs operational, at least one in every local authority 3,500 families supported in 09/10 with plans in place to reach 10,000 a year Approx 800 key workers in place (Mar 10) with plans to double by end of 2010/11 National training programme, competencies and occupational standards will be developed for family intervention project key workers Natcen published research on the first 1,013 families exiting FIPs

Numbers Supported by FIPs in 2009/10 * 990 families still being supported by a FIP carried over from (31 st March 2009). NOTE: Trajectory is based upon number and start dates of new key workers from individual LA returns (resulting in monthly variations). Monthly performance data only available from August and still subject to some under-reporting. NatCen data maybe up to a month behind due to delays in LAs uploading case information. Formal data capture started from Aug 2009 Current delivery: families reached NB: work is ongoing ensure areas are up to date in putting data onto the Natcen system To date, the number of families supported in year is ahead of track at 3975 at end of Feb against an in-year target of 3655

Current delivery: Key Worker Recruitment To date, the recruitment of key workers in the current financial year is on track – with 747 key workers now in post

Quality of delivery is being maintained: Recent data shows consistently strong effects for the 1,000 families who have now exited FIPs… Plus the first evidence that, one year on, these improvements are sustained for families: New FIP data published 3 March 2010 provides early indication* that positive changes experienced by families are sustained 9-14 months on: the proportion of families with no anti- social behaviour was 74% at exit and 74% one year later (no change) the proportion of families with no risk factors was 23% on exit and 25% one year later (8% increase) the proportion of families with no enforcement action was 70 % at exit and 86% one year later (22% increase) * NB: Data is based on a sample of around 80 families on which follow up information was collected with information provided by the key worker based on evidence from multi agency case review meetings. Family Functioning and other risk factors : 1013 families Levels of anti -social behaviour : 1013 families

The scale of expansion required is challenging: families reached Future roll-out requires a substantial increase in the rate of expansion. The forward trajectory seeks to achieve a near doubling in provision between and from 3,655 families supported to 6,993… Number of families supported per year through FIPs 360 1,235 1,756 3,655 6,993 9,195 10,270 10, ,00 0 4,00 0 6,00 0 8, ,000 12, Financial Year ActualsTrajectoryTarget

Update: FIP Housing Challenge Fund The Housing Challenge Fund for Family Intervention Projects is available from April 2010 to March 2011 and comprises a £5m contribution from Families at Risk Programme budget and £2.5m from CLG, with the expectation of locally secured match funding. 2 Bidding rounds 1 st round secured £4.9m central and £6.6m local match funding for 200 key workers providing support to 1200 families 2 nd round launched on 21 st Jan secured £2.3m central funding and £2.5m match funding for a further 103 key workers to support 618 families  £7.2m central funding secured £9.1m match funding for 125 projects (97 LAs) and 303 key workers to support more than 1800 families

Housing Challenge FIPs Effectiveness of FIPs is dependent on strong multi-agency relationships and cannot be effective without strategic and operational commitment from the full range of relevant agencies. To reflect this, the Housing Challenge Fund FIP bids were submitted from local authority Children’s Services in partnership with social housing providers who will provide match funding. - Housing providers are often involved in the referral processes and can be an active member of the FIP steering group. Housing providers will want to ensure that their families are being supported and that the outcomes are being monitored. Positive outcomes include payment of rent, reduction of ASB and waste and in generally maintaining tenancies. Case study Knightstone HA (Bristol)- Housing management staff visited weekly initially until the tenancy was stable. The work for housing management staff was reduced by not having to deal with complaints, damage, etc, and working with the FIP to support the family was satisfying for staff, especially when the family were offered an assured tenancy.