1. The Families First Programme in Herefordshire
Sandra Lloyd:
Troubled Families Officer
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2. What is the Families First programme?
Herefordshire’s response to the National Troubled Families initiative
Multi-agency approach to supporting families
Its aim is to:
“turn around” the most chaotic and challenging families within the county
Improve family and community outcomes
Reduce the demand on public sector services

3. National Troubled Families Programme
3 year national programme (to 2014/15) launched by the Prime Minister in 2011 and it is led by Louise Casey CB.
Government data collected estimated that £9 billion is spent annually on these families – an average of £75,000 per family each year
The Government is committed to working with local authorities and their partners to help 120,000 troubled families in England turn their lives around by 2015.
The government has made available £448 million over 3 years of the programme. This represents 40% of the average cost of turning families around with the remaining 60% coming from local budgets.
Part of the TF funding is on a payment by results basis.
Based on impact to-date the government has confirmed the programme will run for a further five years from 2015/16 working with 400,000 families.

4. What issues do families have?
are involved in crime or anti-social behaviour
have children who are regularly truanting, not attending school
have an adult on out-of-work benefits
domestic violence and abuse
homelessness / housing issues
families with health problems eg mental health, drug/alcohol misuse
don’t take up early years entitlements
child protection issues
cost the public sector large sums in responding to their problems
National Troubled Family criteria

5. Progress of Families First Programme
3 year target is to “turn round” 310 families by March 2015
So far we have achieved this for 174 families.
Out of these 174 Families:
43 % had Crime & anti-social behaviour
47 % had poor school attendance
28 % are out of work
43% had domestic abuse in the household
35% have drug/alcohol misuse issues
20% of children are on CP plan
39% have mental health issues within the household
36% of Families identified have had a child assessed as a Child in Need under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989

6. Progress of Families First cont..
174 families has secured us “payment by results” of £150k – which means extra funding in the county to support families
BUT by May 2015
We need to have supported another 136 families
And bring into the county potentially another £200k
IDENTIFY THESE FAMILIES NOW!

7. How are families helped?
Families are identified by partners
Families First Team check data with other partners to confirm they are eligible
Some families are already receiving services
More complex cases are discussed at multi-agency meeting with support identified and actioned
Sanctions can be used to encourage families to engage
Families are monitored to ensure they are achieving positive outcomes – then we can claim the payment by results funding

8. Positive Outcomes achieved: a case study
Attention was focussed on a village south of Hereford that showed increasing numbers of ASB carried out by teenagers; police data narrowed it to three families, these teenagers also showed poor school attendance
FF Operational Group agreed to tackle all three families at the same time, joint visits were carried out by police, housing associations and Family Support workers and potential sanctions were discussed with family if they didn’t engage with the help being offered
Local police officer was asked to change shifts for one week to be able to get one of the children ‘out of bed’ in the morning and to get him to school
Latest feedback received shows that ASB has reduced and an increased level of school attendance
Previous single agency intervention with the families did not show any improvements

9. What works? Dedicated key worker Supports whole family
Gives practical, hands-on support
Assertive, challenging relationship
Agreed plan and outcomes the family want to achieve

10. What can you do?
Identify families needing support using ID form on council website
Spread awareness and understanding of the programme
Invite us to your team meetings
Contact us:
Sandra Lloyd tel
Lee Bayley tel