Families and households
New ESF provision for Families with Multiple Problems kicked off in December 2012 across the country. Provision aimed at families identified by local authorities as being in particular need of support is being delivered across all 12 Work Programme (WP) areas, managed by a number of different Primes, notably Reed in Partnership which will be leading in four areas, and EOS Works Ltd which will lead in two.
Families and European Social Fund
ESF support is being very tightly focused, with close dialogue expected between local authorities and providers to seek out and recruit the families which the Prime Minister has identified as being a top priority for intervention. The use of ESF in this way has garnered widespread support, offering a more coordinated and innovative approach than is traditionally the case with individualised employment support.
The programme is closely aligned with the Government’s initiatives in families work and social justice. The Prime Minister continues to pledge to “turn around” the lives of 120,000 families by 2015, making new families policy, combined with a stronger role for local authorities and introducing payment by results, the centrepeice of major announcements in December 2011.
ESF: integrated working with families
As well respected charity Tomorrows People argues, the problem in tackling family issues ‘is not lack of awareness... but lack of a tested solution’. Making a difference depends on the actions of front line workers in thousands of individual situations, all unique in their own way. Adopting an approach which looks to work with families and households as integrated, complex units is not currently widespread, but existing ESF projects already offer examples of the issues which are likely to arise, and the methods which form part of the response, including:
As this new policy priority for ESF is being designed and rolled out, ESF-Works has been supporting the process by highlighting existing experience, from within ESF and elsewhere, and also bringing together providers, practitioners, researchers and policy makers to debate the issues and share good practice.
ESF workshop reports
Two workshop reports highlight the complex range of issues which will emerge in taking forward family focused work, one held at the 2011 Welfare to Work convention, which includes ‘top tips’ from experienced professionals for those entering family related work for the first time, the other, combining events organised by the Employment Related Services Association and the ESF Innovation Transnationality and Mainstreaming programme look at the different ways new ESF provision will be delivered and good practice in engagement and delivery.
We are always looking for project and practice examples with compelling, well-evidenced stories to tell and practice to share. Contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you’d like to talk to us about showcasing your work with families.
