1.
Welsh Assembly Government Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Families First
Huw Maguire
Head of Family Support

2. Background 3 strategic objectives draft CPS:
Ambitious aim: WAG aspires to eradicate Child Povert by 2020
3 strategic objectives draft CPS:
Reduce number of workless households;
Improve skill levels in low income families;
Reduce inequalities in health, education and economic outcomes for children living in poverty
FF integral to range of policies to deliver on objectives

3. What is Families First? New way of working…,
What is Families First?
New way of working…
focused,integrated services, address key issues in Child Poverty agenda
Reduce inequalities in health, education and economic outcomes for children living in poverty

4. Cymorth to Families First
Cymorth to Families First
“Episodic” Cymorth ends March 2011
: transition year to Families First Funding
Move towards FF principles: bespoke, integrated, pro-active, intensive, local, and Family Focused 4

5.
Approaches
Preventative – takes account of wider family needs in addressing individual needs through broad range of programmes/interventions
Protective – detect/support families which, without intervention, may reach crisis
Remedial – support families at/near crisis point – fully integrated support (IFST)
FF: typically between preventative/protective 5

6. Scoping: gaps, methods, proposals – family approaches
Pioneers
2 consortia
Scoping: gaps, methods, proposals – family approaches
Commissioning, communities, duplication, join-up, TAF, disability, C-F schools
Innovation/extension
Sharing – consortium & Wales
Action learning & dissemination 6

7. Much good practice: workforce, systems, programmes
What do we know?
Much good practice: workforce, systems, programmes
Commonalities: Common assessment, multi-agencies, TAC/TAF
One size does not always fit all…
Evidence/evaluation framework: impact: families; long-term efficiencies 7

8. Develop systems/services address 3 strategic objectives?
Questions…
Develop systems/services address 3 strategic objectives?
Not one-size, but what are key characteristics of successful ID & interventions? 8

9. Beyond the pioneers… Guidance supported by FF Funding Close working
Beyond the pioneers…
Guidance supported by FF Funding
Close working
2nd wave
Sharing evidence & information; 2-way process 9

10. Challenge Opportunity WAG/DM priority Increase in headline budget
Challenge
WAG/DM priority
Increase in headline budget
Delivery, monitoring: assess, challenge, support
Opportunity 10