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Making support for troubled families work
July 2012
Background: How did we get here?
• December 2010: Prime Minister committed to turn around 120,000 of the most troubled families by
2015.
• Spring 2011: Local authorities were given the opportunity to inform the policy design of the DWP ESF
support for Families with Multiple Problems with an online “call for evidence” and a number of
engagement events with stakeholders.
• Summer 2011: The riots – Focus on troubled families ambition became more acute and PM
committed to put “rocket boosters” under the programme.
• November 2011: SoS for Communities appointed to lead the work at Cabinet level and new central, x-
deptal Troubled Families Team established in DCLG, led by Louise Casey CB.
• December 2011: Prime Minister announced £448m additional investment to put “rocket boosters”
under the ambition, with investment from 6 departments.
• January 2012: Minister for Employment launches the +£200m European Social Fund provision for
families with multiple problems, explicitly to support the Prime Minister’s overall ambition.
• March 2012: Financial Framework for the Troubled Families programme’s payment by results scheme
for local authorities launched.
• June 2012: All local authorities have signed-up to the programme and to start work with at least a third
of their local total of troubled families in 2012/13
How is the Troubled Families Programme being
delivered?
National Network of Troubled Families Coordinators in Every Upper-Tier Local Authority
Government Investment on Primarily a PbR Basis to Meet an Average of 40% Costs of
Services for 5-out-of-6 Troubled Families in each Local Authority
A number of Government-funded programmes targeted at supporting troubled families
(inc. +£200m European Social Fund Provision; and Multi-Systemic Therapy Pilots)
Investment and Prioritisation of Services and Resources by Local Authorities and a Range
of Other Local Public Bodies
What is the ESF provision for families?
Eligibility
• Multi-generational workless families with multiple problems, i.e. troubled families
• Family members must be aged 16 or over
• At start of the provision at least one member of family must be on a DWP working age benefit. This
family member passports all other eligible family members
• Either no one in the family is working or there is a history of worklessness across generations
Features of the Provision
• Family focused to address family and individual barriers to work
• Part-time for all participants
• Tailored and flexible support linking to other support
• Post-employment support
Payment by Results
• 30% of the contract value has been fixed for job outcomes;
• 70% will be paid for achieving progress measures for the majority of individuals joining provision
How does the ESF provision fit in the wider
Troubled Families Programme?
LAs sign up to ‘Turn Around’ their % of the overall 120k Troubled Families
ESF Provision for Troubled Families + % Work Programme
+ MST Pilots20,000 TFs
‘6th family’
Troubled Families Payment by Results Programme100,000 TFs
£4k towards supporting 5/6 of every TF in every LA
Only c.20% of ESF families expected to achieve ‘into work’ outcomes so many
more may receive ESF support and be funded as one of an LA’s 5 out of 6
All families (with a family member on out of work benefits) may be referred to the ESF
provision and the LA can receive funding from CLG for 5-out-of-6 of them.
Hot Topics for Discussion from Recent Events
Topic 1: How do we address some of the operational challenges?
• The History: e.g. different start timelines; Fuller identification process started after ESF was launched.
• Tackling the Complexity of Need in an Integrated Way (e.g. delivering employment support to families
affected by domestic violence, substance misuse and child safeguard concerns in a way that is
integrated with wider local services).
• Differences in Operational Approaches (e.g. home visits)
Topic 2: How do we make the most of some of the opportunities on the horizon?
• 116/ 152 Troubled Families Coordinators in post
• Identification of wider group of troubled families underway
• Rapid service expansion underway across most LAs
• Additional resources and networks from ESF providers
Topic 3: While many issues are determined by local factors, how can central government help?
• Stronger emphasis on escalation process to troubleshoot problems quickly and early?
• Engaging the national network of Troubled Families Coordinators?
• Communications and relationship building support?
Other Opportunities to Engage
• Troubled Families Coordinator regional ‘get togethers’ (this month) and
national event in September
• ESF CPA events (current)
• Feedback to the Troubled Families Team (
[email protected] or 030 3444 1127)
• Feedback to DWP ([email protected])
Contact Details
Emma Jones, Troubled Families Team, DCLG
030 3444 4631
Pat Russell, Family Policy Division, DWP
0114 294 8224
