"Councils have played a pivotal role in making the Supporting Families programme a success for some of the most vulnerable families, so it is good that local authorities continue to receive this funding to support this vital service for the coming year as it enters its next phase."
Responding to the Government launching the next phase of its programme to support vulnerable families, backed by £165 million in funding, Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, said:
“Councils have played a pivotal role in making the Supporting Families programme a success for some of the most vulnerable families, so it is good that local authorities continue to receive this funding to support this vital service for the coming year as it enters its next phase.
“The programme has to date demonstrated the importance of locally-led and integrated approaches to prevention and early intervention for families with multiple problems, including crime, anti-social behaviour, financial exclusion, homelessness, truancy, unemployment, mental health problems and domestic abuse.
“This funding is one of the few remaining sources of early intervention funding for councils. With children’s services and the local safety net under increasing pressure, it is vital that funding and cross-government commitment is maintained to ensure that councils, who know the needs of their communities best, can provide effective support to vulnerable families throughout social and economic recovery.”