Scheme that helped Keighley problem families to be expanded

The Families First scheme, started in 2012, is a Government programme that targets families whose members are involved in anti-social behaviour, persistent offending, unemployment and regular absence from school.

In Bradford district the project targeted 1,760 families – including 105 in the Keighley West ward – and of these 1,404 have improved their lives.

The initiative was due to end in March, but its success has convinced the Government to make Bradford an "early adopter" of a new five-year programme, which will help up to 5,000 families.

As well as helping the families, the scheme was intended to reduce the amount spent on these families by different agencies, from social services to police and the NHS.

One adult coming off benefits can save almost £9,000 a year, and a single domestic violence incident can cost the police and criminal justice system £18,000.

Earlier this week, Bradford Council's children's services scrutiny committee heard a report on the progress of the project.

Members heard that 15 per cent of families in the Bradford pilot scheme were on the Keighley constituency. Of these Keighley families, 67 per cent were regarded as ‘turned round’ by the end of the scheme.

The figures showed that of the problem families dealt with across Bradford, 61 per cent were white British, of which 69 per cent have been classed as turned around, and 24 per cent were South Asian, 77 per cent of which have been successfully turned around.

The 5,000 families chosen for the new scheme will include those with adults out of work, families affected by domestic violence and those involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.

However, whereas the previous programme allocated £4,000 per family, the latest Government allocation amounts to £1,800 per family.

The Council can only claim the full amount of government money once they have proved they have succeeded in improving the lives of each family.