The Supporting Families Programme

West Berkshire Supporting Families Programme is part of the National Supporting Families Programme.

Supporting Families is about working with the whole family, not just the children, or a single family member.

Families are often trying to deal with more than one problem at a time. This can make it difficult for families to get the right help and support. Although each family is different, many have issues relating to:

• crime and anti-social behaviour
• education, children not in school
• worklessness, adults on out-of-work benefits
• young people not in employment, education or training
• problems with drugs and/or alcohol
• physical or mental health problems
• domestic violence and abuse
• families at risk of homelessness or unmanaged debts
• young children failing to thrive

Each family will have a family plan and a lead professional who will help co-ordinate support services, and who they can contact when they want to talk about things, or need further help.
 

How the programme is working in West Berkshire

The programme is currently delivered locally through existing agencies, teams and partnerships. Supporting Families provides additional funding to strengthen and enhance provision to families who are facing multiple challenges.

The West Berkshire Supporting Families Operational Group is responsible for coordinating, supporting and challenging local teams and agencies to identify and work with families.

The Supporting Families Programme Outcome Plan gives a clear overview of the main family problems, the nomination criteria for each and the success measures required to achieve significant and sustained improvement.

Many of the families will have a My Family Plan and have received support from the Early Response Hub or other earlier help services.
 

Families can expect...

• a dedicated point of contact
• agencies working in a coordinated way to supporting the whole family
• a single plan

The plan will set out clearly:

• what the lead professional or lead agency will do
• what the family will do
• what the other agencies involved will do

The length of time spent working with each family will vary depending on their needs, from a few months to up to a year and beyond.
 

Programme funding

Supporting Families Programme is Government funded with a reward grant paid upon successful outcomes.