Troubled family scheme 'works'

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said the "Working with Troubled Families" report shows that the whole community stands to benefit if the lives of the most chaotic families can be put back on track.

Mr Pickles said, "Effective family intervention also demonstrates that savings can be made for taxpayers by putting families back on the right track for the long run, rather than wasting money on simply reacting to their problems".

"We must have aspiration for every family and this work will reach all corners of the country", he added

Louise Casey, head of the Government's Troubled Families programme, said social workers need to take "persistent, assertive and challenging approach" to the troubled families they work with and offer practical "hands on support" for the intervention scheme to succeed.

Ms Casey said following the release of her report titled, "Working with Troubled Families":

A Government scheme aimed at helping troubled families turn their lives around has proved "impressive", according to an official report published today.

Louise Casey, who heads the Government's Troubled Families programme, said effective intervention by social workers can dramatically reduce their involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour.

In the report, Ms Casey called on all local authorities in England to review their practices in order meet David Cameron pledge - made in the wake of last year's summer riots - to turn around the lives of the 120,000 most troubled families by 2015.

Academic evidence reportedly showed that family intervention reduced involvement in anti-social behaviour by 59 percent, involvement in crime by 45 percent and truancy, exclusion and bad behaviour at school by 52 percent.

Ms Casey said the key to success lies in assigning a dedicated social worker to each problem family, and in treating the family as a whole.