An extra £2million to be spent on Hampshire’s Supporting Families programme in 2020/21

Councillor Grajewski said: “Our Supporting Families programme which brings together a wide range of Hampshire agencies including local councils, the Police, voluntary sector, Health and Criminal Justice has transformed the way services are delivered to support vulnerable families across the county. This has resulted in more than 3,000 families who might otherwise have faced a lifetime of disadvantage, now having a brighter future.”

“Government funding to support the programme was expected to cease at the end of this financial year, so we have been busy establishing a grants programme to enable some of those organisations already delivering direct support to families to continue their good work.”

“Receiving confirmation that national funding for this important programme is set to continue for a further year is very welcome indeed.”

Hampshire’s Supporting Families Programme began in 2012, as part of a national initiative to support families facing multiple issues such as persistent unemployment, poor education, poor health, crime and antisocial behaviour, domestic violence and young people failing to thrive.

The programme takes a ‘whole family’ approach involving everyone in the family including grandparents, parents, young people and children. It allows families to build on their strengths while helping them to overcome some of the concerns, difficulties, challenges or obstacles they may have in their lives.

In addition, an independent evaluation by Solent University shows that between 2015-19, the support given to families to get back on their feet successfully, translated into savings or costs avoided of £27million to the public purse.

Going forward, the successful multi agency approach to working with families will be co-ordinated via the County Council’s Family Support Service Hubs situated throughout the county. These provide early help services for families who need support on a wide range of issues.

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