This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21651502

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Troubled families scheme for England 'working' Troubled families scheme for England 'working'
(about 9 hours later)
A programme aiming to turn around the lives of troubled families in England is showing results, ministers say.A programme aiming to turn around the lives of troubled families in England is showing results, ministers say.
The government said councils had identified more than half of the most-challenging 120,000 families - those with problems such as benefit-dependency and anti-social behaviour.The government said councils had identified more than half of the most-challenging 120,000 families - those with problems such as benefit-dependency and anti-social behaviour.
It said a scheme that rewards councils for successfully helping such households had made its first payments.It said a scheme that rewards councils for successfully helping such households had made its first payments.
Critics point to a long history of failed attempts on the issue.Critics point to a long history of failed attempts on the issue.
The government defines "troubled families" as those experiencing multiple problems, which can also include truancy and unemployment.The government defines "troubled families" as those experiencing multiple problems, which can also include truancy and unemployment.
It's 18 years since a project began in Dundee to turn around the lives of troubled families. Since then the idea of intensive hands-on intervention has been tried by different governments and local authorities led by all the major parties.
Opponents say the current drive to improve the lot of troubled families will suffer the same fate as all previous attempts. They say that unless the underlying causes - poverty, poor education and health - are addressed, then families will slip back into bad ways as soon as their dedicated caseworker withdraws.
But ministers say there's growing evidence families can be saved from a dysfunctional existence.
The 1,675 families taken off the list of 120,000 estimated to be out there is a tiny fraction. It's early days for this programme. If the project is going to be judged a success the number will have to rise rapidly over the coming months.
Ministers say troubled families often suck in the resources of a range of agencies, from the police to social workers, teachers and doctors and estimate that each costs the taxpayer about £75,000 a year.Ministers say troubled families often suck in the resources of a range of agencies, from the police to social workers, teachers and doctors and estimate that each costs the taxpayer about £75,000 a year.
A three-year programme started in April 2012 and aims to turn families around through a programme of intervention.A three-year programme started in April 2012 and aims to turn families around through a programme of intervention.
'Improved structure'
The government said that, as of December 2012, local authorities had identified some 62,000 of the most problematic families and were already helping more than 23,000 of them.The government said that, as of December 2012, local authorities had identified some 62,000 of the most problematic families and were already helping more than 23,000 of them.
Payments had been made to councils for turning around the lives of 1,675 families, it added.Payments had been made to councils for turning around the lives of 1,675 families, it added.
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: ‪"The Troubled Families programme is on track, changing families for the better and reducing their impact on the communities around them.Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: ‪"The Troubled Families programme is on track, changing families for the better and reducing their impact on the communities around them.
‪"This programme is getting to grips with some of the hardest-to-help families in the country and, in doing so, will help bring down the costs they incur to the taxpayer and the damage they do to communities."‪"This programme is getting to grips with some of the hardest-to-help families in the country and, in doing so, will help bring down the costs they incur to the taxpayer and the damage they do to communities."
A new drive will see 150 specialist Jobcentre Plus advisers help family members into work.A new drive will see 150 specialist Jobcentre Plus advisers help family members into work.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith said: "Helping [these families] get and keep a job can be vital in turning their lives around, bringing improved structure and stability with increased aspirations and confidence."Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith said: "Helping [these families] get and keep a job can be vital in turning their lives around, bringing improved structure and stability with increased aspirations and confidence."
The government update on its programme comes a week after it was accused of deliberately misusing evidence and statistics to misrepresent the plight of the poor.The government update on its programme comes a week after it was accused of deliberately misusing evidence and statistics to misrepresent the plight of the poor.
A report from the Methodist and United Reformed Churches, the Church of Scotland and the Baptist Union said evidence had been skewed to put the blame for poverty at the door of the poor themselves.A report from the Methodist and United Reformed Churches, the Church of Scotland and the Baptist Union said evidence had been skewed to put the blame for poverty at the door of the poor themselves.
The government said it had always made it clear that the system was failing people.The government said it had always made it clear that the system was failing people.