Thousands of Doncaster families to benefit from joint programme
An innovative programme to support hundreds of families in Doncaster to make lasting, positive changes in their lives is being rolled out by Doncaster Council, Doncaster Children’s Services Trust and their partner agencies
The programme has been titled ‘Stronger Families’ in Doncaster and it forms part of the government’s Extended Troubled Families programme to work with up to 400,000 families across England over the next five years.
Almost 3,000 local families are set to be supported over the next five years, in addition to 870 who have met the success criteria during an earlier pilot scheme. The joint Council, partners and the Trust team celebrated 100 per cent success rate in Phase 1, which ran from 2012 to 2015. Their work supported families who cared for a total of 3,241 children and was ranked equal first in a national league table.
Stronger Families takes a fresh approach to cutting youth crime and anti-social behaviour by working with the child’s family to solve underlying problems such as health issues, unemployment and debt. It is led by the Council’s Neighbourhood Teams within its Communities Service. These teams work closely with staff from the Youth Offending Service, which is part of Doncaster Children’s Services Trust, and with other partners.
The organisations will now build on the partnership they have developed. Their success has been attributed to the strong local knowledge of neighbourhood officers and the specialist skills of Youth Offending Service staff and partner agencies. Partners include St. Leger Homes, the health services, Department for Work and Pensions through Jobcentre Plus, South Yorkshire Police and the YWCA.
Under the programme a single key worker supports each family and channels communications with other agencies. Previously each agency had contacted families separately, leading to confusion and wasted resources. The new way of working means that key workers can get to know family members and guide them to address problems which previously seemed overwhelming.
Families will be invited to take part in the programme if they meet two of the eligible criteria. These include health issues and adult unemployment as well as problems around the behaviour of their children. Families are considered to have successful outcomes if they achieve long term progress in areas such as all children attending school regularly, adults getting jobs, and family members feeling that their situation has improved. Government funding for the programme is linked to these results.
Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “Supporting families to make positive contributions to society, tackle anti-social behaviour and assist young people to make the most of their education are key priorities. I am delighted that by working with the Children’s Trust, and partners, we are helping both families and communities.”
Chief Executive of Doncaster Children’s Services Trust, Paul Moffat, added: “This is an excellent example of how effectively the Trust, the Council and other partners are working together in Doncaster to make a real difference to children’s lives.”
ENDS
Doncaster Children's Services Trust is a new, independent organisation - the first of its kind in the country - set up following an agreement with national government and the local authority. We are developing and pioneering innovative and improved ways to help keep children and young people safe, well and reach their full potential. We do this through providing social care and support services to children, young people and families in Doncaster. Visit www.doncasterchildrenstrust.co.uk