'Troubled Families' Programme

[Har1Her1]

Hello,

I apologise if this is a little off topic. Yesterday, I had a discussion with our social worker and she told me that our family met the criteria for inclusion on the 'troubled families' agenda. I was a little confused because, although our family has issues, mainly concerned with our children's mental health, I would not consider us to be a 'troubled' family within my understanding of the government's criteria. The reason that I would dispute the categorisation is that I am in full time employment, my husband is in part time employment and does not receive 'unemployment' benefits, no-one in the family is involved in criminal activity, both my husband and I hold post-graduate or equivalent qualifications and our children are only absent from school because adequate provision has not been provided for them with respect to their mental health issues (both are currently under CAMHS). However whilst I do not wish to turn services down if they will support us and help us both my husband and I feel confused at the labeling we have received. Could you tell me if there are any sites or organisations I could contact which would give a little more information about the advantages of being on the TF programme and what the ultimate aim of the programme may be.

Thanks

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Har1Her1

Thank you for your post.

The troubled families initiative was set up in 2011 aimed at targetting 120,000 families who were deemed to be costing the state £9 billion per year. For instance, these families, previously labelled as 'hard to reach' were assessed as being in significant social, economic and health deprivation, and viewed as a substantial drain on the public purse.

It was estimated that by April 2013, the scheme had helped to improve the lives of 14,000 homes and proposed to see the figure rise to 120,00 families by the start of 2015 (Figures from the Troubled Families 2014: Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives). However, the reality has been that for significant numbers of people falling under the banner of the Troubled Families programme, many have felt discriminated against and subject to unfair media publicity and social stereotyping.

Your post makes reference to the fact your children have unmet mental health needs and are currently receiving provision from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. However, this in itself does not explain why you may have been targetted in the way that you point out.

I would be advisable for you to approach your social worker to ask about the purpose of the reasons for the referral to the Troubled Families programme. In this way you could then make an informed decision about whether you wish to agree to it or not. For instance, what they hope to achieve by referring you to the programme, and what the implications would be if you were to decline being referred on to it at this time.

I hope this helps.

Best Wishes

Suzie