Stockport leads the way working with families with complex needs

Published by Nicola Mileham for Stockport Homes in Local Government and also in Communities, Health, Housing

David Cameron has spoken about the government’s desire to turn around the lives of families with complex needs and Stockport are already well ahead of the game. 

A multi-disciplinary team made up of a range of agencies to help vulnerable families in priority areas has been commissioned by a steering group made up of senior representatives from the police, Stockport Council, Stockport Homes, the Probation and Primary Health Care Trusts and Stockport College. Additionally the work is integrated into the DFE Exemplar Programme. 

Operational since July this year, the Act Family Team is an innovative partnership designed to support families whose lives and future prospects are threatened by issues such as poor health or mental illness, offending behaviour, debt, unemployment, and housing difficulties and draws upon families’ strengths and aspirations to improve their own family situations. 

The team brings together committed, experienced staff from the partner organisations and a range of community services such as youth offending, welfare rights, parenting support, probation and health visiting. Families are allocated workers who can support them and co-ordinate responses from within and outside the team, ensuring they get the right service at the right time.

Since the team was created positive changes have been made in the lives of 34 families. Some improvements have been seen almost immediately, with families’ weekly income increasing, reductions in offending behaviour, anti-social behaviour cases closed and some families supported into more appropriate accommodation. 

Other changes with long-term benefit include child immunisations, increased school attendance and access to mental health services. The team also has a hands-on approach to developing positive parenting practice, assisting with property conditions and supporting children in getting to school. 

This new approach has meant that issues the family face have been resolved quickly and efficiently and they are benefitting from a consistent approach from all services involved. Workers and partners are also benefiting from increased joint working and learning, providing them with greater insight and tools to work with families to achieve sustainable change. 

For more information, please contact Joanne Claridge on 0161 474 3716 or joanne.claridgeaf@stockport.gov.uk or Anne-Marie Heil on 0161 474 3772 or anne-marie.heil@stockporthomes.org or kate.fitzhugh@stockport.gov.uk