Next phase of £165m Supporting Families programme launches

The government has launched next phase of its Supporting Families programme, previously known as the ‘Troubled Families’ scheme.

Under the programme, which began in 2012 – families are assigned a dedicated keyworker, who works with every member of the family and brings local services together to resolve issues at an early stage, before they develop into more significant problems.

Since 2015, over 400,000 vulnerable families have received support to help them turn their lives around and build brighter futures, and over 870,000 families have benefited from the programme’s ‘whole family’ approach to tackling problems.

‘For the next phase, Supporting Families will continue this important work backed by £165m funding to help families with multiple complex problems to overcome difficulties as early as possible. It is a critical part of our moral mission to tackle intergenerational unemployment, crime, domestic abuse and family breakdown,’ said housing secretary, Robert Jenrick.

‘As we come out of the Covid-19 pandemic it is more important than ever we support families. The last year has shown what can be achieved if different agencies act as one and wrap their arms around the most vulnerable. That is the objective of Supporting Families, the renewed programme to turn around lives and help families to achieve their potential.’

Responding to the announcement, the chair of the Local Government Association’s resources board, Cllr Richard Watts said: ‘This funding is one of the few remaining sources of early intervention funding for councils. With children’s services and the local safety net under increasing pressure, it is vital that funding and cross-government commitment is maintained to ensure that councils, who know the needs of their communities best, can provide effective support to vulnerable families throughout social and economic recovery.’