The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has announced over 100,000 more families are set to receive support under the government’s “flagship” Supporting Families scheme.
Up to £233.5 million has been allocated to the programme for 2023/24 following £1.9 billion allocated over the past 10 years, meaning families facing issues such as domestic abuse, housing insecurity, poor education attainment, and substance misuse are to receive tailored support to turn their lives around.
Through the DLUHC’s programme, families are assigned a dedicated keyworker who works with every member of the family and brings together local services to resolve issues as early as possible before they develop into crises.
The programme includes work to help people leave abusive relationships and access to support for mental health issues.
“Since it began ten years ago, Supporting Families has provided vital help to thousands of families right across the country who face real challenges,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, adding:
“The results are clear for all to see – the scheme has reduced the number of children entering care, cut the number of juvenile custodial sentences, helped many people into employment and reduced costs for the taxpayer.”
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Felicity Buchan said:
“Through its groundbreaking whole-family early interventions, the Supporting Families programme has made a hugely positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of families.
The last 10 years have seen significant positive changes, providing early access to better support from the right people at the right time – enabling families to overcome multiple and serious challenges.
Everyone involved in delivering the scheme can be really proud that they have supported some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged families in our communities.”
The government has also published the 2022/23 Supporting Families Annual Report. It is the seventh edition of the Annual Report and reports on the number of outcomes have been achieved at national and local level by the programme.
