Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-01T00:24:52.206Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Troubled Families Programme and the Problems of Success

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2017

James Hoggett  and
Elizabeth Frost
James Hoggett
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health and Social Science, University of the West of England, Bristol E-mail: [email protected]
Elizabeth Frost
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health and Social Science, University of the West of England, Bristol E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The Troubled Families Programme (TFP) is the latest example of a tradition of family intervention projects (FIPs) for which the evidence basis for success is ambiguous. However, research does suggest that features of such projects – for example, time and flexibility of FIP workers, afforded by relatively small caseloads – offer some benefits for service users. This article draws on an evaluation of a FIP delivered by a Unitary Authority as part of the wider TFP to consider such features and found similar benefits. The article frames the research in terms of the expansion of the TFP and the implications this may have for its practical successes. It concludes by underscoring that by extending the programme whilst reducing its funding the most recent round of the TFP threatens precisely the features previously identified as most advantageous.

Keywords

Troubled families programmefamily interventiontimeflexibilitycaseloads
Type
Articles
Information
Social Policy and Society , Volume 17 , Issue 4 , October 2018 , pp. 523 - 534
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ball, E., Batty, E. and Flint, J. F. (2016) ‘Intensive family intervention and the problem figuration of “troubled families”’, Social Policy and Society, 15, 2, 263–74.Google Scholar
Batty, E. (2013) ‘Learning and soft outcomes: evidence from intensive intervention projects’, Social Policy and Society, 13, 3, 357–69.Google Scholar
Bewley, B., George, A. and Rienzo, C. (2016) The Impact of the Troubled Families Programme: Findings from the Analysis of National Administrative Data, London: Department for Communities and Local Government.Google Scholar
Boddy, J., Statham, J., Warwick, I., Hollingworth, K. and Spencer, G. (2016) ‘What kind of trouble? Meeting the health needs of “troubled families” through intensive family support’, Social Policy and Society, 15, 2, 275–88.Google Scholar
Bond-Taylor, S. (2015) ‘Dimensions of family empowerment in work with so-called “troubled” families’, Social Policy and Society, 14, 3, 371–84.Google Scholar
Bond-Taylor, S. and Somerville, P. (2013) Evaluation of Families Working Together: Final Report on Behalf of Lincolnshire County Council, Lincoln: University of Lincoln.Google Scholar
Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2006) ‘Using thematic analysis in psychology’, Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 2, 77–101.Google Scholar
Broadhurst, K., Wastell, D., White, S., Hall, C., Peckover, S., Thompson, K. and Davey, D. (2010) ‘Performing “initial assessment”: identifying the latent conditions for error at the front-door of local authority children's services’, British Journal of Social Work, 40, 2, 352–70.Google Scholar
Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods, 3rd edn, Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Bunting, L., Webb, M. A. and Shannon, R. (2015) ‘Looking again at troubled families: parents' perspectives on multiple adversities’, Child and Family Social Work, doi: 10.1111/cfs.12232.Google Scholar
Cameron, D. (2011) PM's Speech on the Fight-Back after the Riots, London: Department for Communities and Local Government, https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pms-speech-on-the-fightback-after-the-riots [accessed 31.03.17].Google Scholar
Clarke, H. and Hughes, N. (2010) ‘Introduction: family minded policy and whole family practice – developing a critical research framework’, Social Policy and Society, 9, 4, 527–31.Google Scholar
Crossley, S. J. (2015) The Troubled Families Programme: The Perfect Social Policy?, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.Google Scholar
Davies, K. (2015) ‘Troubled families: how effective has it been?’, Children and Young People Now, http://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/analysis/1151896/troubled-families-how-effective-has-it-been [accessed 31.03.17].Google Scholar
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (2012) The Troubled Families Programme: Financial Framework for the Troubled Families Programme's Payment-by-Results Scheme for Local Authorities, London: Department for Communities and Local Government, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-troubled-families-programme-financial-framework [accessed 31.03.17].Google Scholar
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (2014) Helping Troubled Families Turn Their Lives Around, London: Department for Communities and Local Government, https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/helping-troubled-families-turn-their-lives-around [accessed 31.03.17].Google Scholar
Featherstone, B., White, S. and Morris, S. (2014) Re-Imagining Child Protection: Towards Humane Social Work with Families, Bristol: Policy Press.Google Scholar
Ferguson, H. (2014) ‘What social workers do in performing child protection work: evidence from research into face‐to‐face practice’, Child and Family Social Work, 21, 3, 283–94.Google Scholar
Frost, L. and McClean, S. (2014) Thinking about the Lifecourse: A Psychosocial Introduction, London: Palgrave.Google Scholar
Gregg, D. (2015) Troubled Families: State Lies, Demonization and Voodoo Social Engineering, Wirral: Green Man Books.Google Scholar
Hayden, C. and Jenkins, C. (2014) ‘“Troubled Families” Programme in England: “wicked problems” and policy-based evidence’, Policy Studies, 35, 6, 631–49.Google Scholar
Houston, S. (2016) ‘Empowering the “shamed” self: recognition and critical social work’, Journal of Social Work, 16, 1, 3–21.Google Scholar
Levitas, R. (2012) ‘There may be “trouble” ahead: what we know about those 120,000 “troubled” families’, Policy Response Series No. 3, 21 April, http://www.poverty.ac.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/WP%20Policy%20Response%20No.3-%20%20%27Trouble%27%20ahead%20%28Levitas%20Final%2021April2012%29.pdf [accessed 31.03.17].Google Scholar
Levitas, R. (2014) Troubled Families in a Spin, http://www.poverty.ac.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/Troubled%20Families%20in%20a%20Spin.pdf [accessed 31.03.17].Google Scholar
Mishna, F., Antle, B. J. and Regehr, C. (2004) ‘Tapping the perspectives of children emerging ethical issues in qualitative research’, Qualitative Social Work, 3, 4, 449–68.Google Scholar
Parr, S. (2012) ‘Intensive family casework with “problem families”: past and present’, Family Science, 2, 4, 240–9.Google Scholar
Parr, S. (2016) ‘Conceptualising “The Relationship” in intensive key worker support as a Therapeutic Medium’, Journal of Social Work Practice, 30, 1, 1–16.Google Scholar
Ruch, G. and Ward, A. (eds.) (2010) Relationship-Based Social Work: Getting to the Heart of Practice, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.Google Scholar
Sen, R. (2016) ‘Building relationships in a cold climate: a case study of family engagement within an “edge of care” family support service’, Social Policy and Society, 15, 2, 1–14.Google Scholar
Social Exclusion Task Force (2007) Families at Risk: Background on Families with Multiple Disadvantages, Cabinet Office.Google Scholar
Spoth, R. and Redmond, C. (2000) ‘Research on family engagement in preventive interventions: toward improved use of scientific findings in primary prevention practice’, Journal of Primary Prevention, 21, 2, 267–84.Google Scholar
Starkey, P. (2000) Families and Social Workers: The Work of Family Service Units, 1940–1985, Liverpool: Liverpool University Press.Google Scholar
Starkey, P. (2007) ‘Retelling the stories of clients of voluntary social work agencies in Britain after 1945’, in Borsay, A. and Shapley, P. (eds.), Medicine, Charity and Mutual Aid: The Consumption of Health and Welfare in Britain, c. 1550–1950, Aldershot: Ashgate, 245–61.Google Scholar
Welshman, J. (2012) From Transmitted Deprivation to Social Exclusion: Policy, Poverty and Parenting, Bristol: The Policy Press.Google Scholar
Wills, J., Whittaker, A., Rickard, W. and Felix, C. (2016) ‘Troubled, troubling or in trouble: the stories of “troubled families”’, British Journal of Social Work, bcw061, doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcw061.Google Scholar