New Research shows families with multiple problems are helped by intensive support

New research into family intervention programmes has shown that joined-up, intensive intervention has led to a fall in anti-social behavior, truancy and domestic violence.

Family intervention schemes enable families with multiple problems to gain access to help from various agencies through a single “key worker”. This approach was developed under the previous government, and is being continued and expanded through the coalition’s focus on 120,000 “troubled families”.

One study looked at the 3,675 families who have been with intervention services since 2006. They concluded that among these families there had been

• A 58% reduction in anti-social behavior
• A 53% reduction in truancy
• A 57% reduction in domestic violence
• A 34% reduction in child protection issues

Other new research finds that “for every £1 spent on family programmes, £2 is saved in costs to state”

These findings strengthen the case for better coordinated intervention for those with multiple problems.

Speaking last night at the launch of our Turning the Tide vision paper, minister for government policy the Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP acknowledged that the government had been focused on families with multiple problems. He said he would consider the paper, which recommends extending the learning and approach from the families work to all adults with multiple needs.