Policy and Politics
David Cameron sets up new unit to support troubled families
The Prime Minister has appointed Louise Casey, who previously advised Tony Blair on anti-social behaviour, to head up a new unit set up by Number Ten to tackle 120,000 troubled families.
David Cameron announced the appointment during prime minister’s questions.
Mr Cameron said, ‘I am determined that we will turn around the lives of these troubled families because to build strong communities, we will have to start with parenting and families.
‘Tens of thousands of pounds are spent on these families but no-one is getting involved and dealing with these families to turn their lives around.’
Ms Casey, (pictured), who is currently independent Victims Commissioner, will report to Eric Pickles, the communities secretary.
Ms Casey said, ‘This is a huge challenge for me but an area in which I feel I have a lot of expertise and passion. A number of approaches will be needed to get these families lives back on track – to end their criminality, to get kids back into school, get parents ready to work and reduce costs for the taxpayer.’
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said that the new unit was ‘a tangible sign that the Government is indeed moving ahead with its efforts to provide these parents and children with the intensive, integrated intervention and support they need to get their lives on the right track.
'This is a sizeable commitment and undertaking and will need time, real commitment and leadership from the top to make happen.’
She said it would be ‘a tough challenge’ to co-ordinate an effective programme across several government departments.
‘We hope the "huge resources" mentioned by the Prime Minister will be enough for the necessary scaling up of existing plans and programmes that such an ambitious commitment requires.’
Dr Katherine Rake, chief executive of the Family and Parenting Institute, said the troubled families team must focus on establishing a co-ordinated approach to intervention.
‘The Government’s own analysis shows it is not uncommon for up to 20 local agencies to overlap when intervening with troubled families - health services, schools, children’s centres, police, social services and others besides. This has been shown to be ineffective and very expensive,' she said.
'We should not pre-judge the complex nature of the issues facing these families. The response needs professional, skilled intervention over a substantial period of time. Another serious challenge is how to offer the intensive support necessary at the scale being discussed. New approaches and partnerships will be required if the target of reaching 120,000 families is to be achieved in a meaningful way.’
