Framework of Family Support Packages for the Dorset Families Matter Project

Dorset Families Matter is a broad partnership that is committed to delivering the national Troubled Families initiative locally.

As the lead partner Dorset County Council is seeking a range of suitably qualified and experienced service providers to provide: • a service, • an intervention and/or • an activity that can be termed a Family Support Package and can deliver positive outcomes in line with those set out in the Dorset Families Matter Outcomes Plan.

The services available through the framework have a central role in helping to deal with problems experienced by children, young people and their families.

It also brokers access to a range of more specialist services.

The national Troubled Families initiative began in April 2012 and was originally intended to run for three years.

The aim was to support families improve their well-being and reduce dependence on public sector organisations.

The Dorset Families Matter (DFM) project is the local name given for this initiative.

Since 2012 the operating context has changed considerably.

The national programme is currently set to run until 31 March 2020 and the focus is now on local authorities with their public sector partners to transform the way services that support families with multiple and complex needs are delivered.

To meet this challenge the approach and principles of Dorset Families Matter have been embedded through the newly established Family Partnership Zones.

The Family Partnership Zones will deliver early help to identified children, young people and families where a provision of appropriate help can improve outcomes and sustain change.

In the long term this will reduce dependence on public sector organisations and the associated costs of dependence.

The underlying ethos of Dorset Families Matter is to proactively identify families that meet the eligibility criteria through cross matching data from partner agencies and then make proactive approaches to families offering additional support.

Families are eligible if they meet at least two of the following headline identification criteria: • Parents and Children involved in crime or antisocial behaviour. • Children who have not been attending school regularly or are excluded • Children who need help (Child Protection or Child in Need status or equivalent concerns) • Adults out of work or at risk of financial exclusion and young people at risk of worklessness • Families affected by domestic violence and abuse • Parents and children with a range of health problems Any provision of support must be delivered either within Dorset County Council's boundaries or no more than 5 mile radius of them, but we have a working principle of as close to home as possible.

The contracts will cover the period 1st February 2018 to 31st March 2020.