Scheme helps to turn around troubled lives

VULNERABLE young children in Oldham are getting a better chance in life thanks to a scheme to help children from struggling households, the Government claims.

Since May 2012, the Troubled Families programme has turned around the lives of 361 of the borough’s families.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced an expansion of the programme in 51 of the best-performing areas, including all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester. The five-year programme will then be expanded nationally from 2015.

Mr Pickles said: “Because councils have made so much progress in the past two years, they are now able to work with even more families. The programme has been brilliant in changing the way services are run, saving money and turning around the lives of some of the hardest to help families in the country.”

Research shows troubled families have an average of nine serious problems such as truancy, crime, anti-social behaviour, worklessness and domestic violence. The programme also focuses on improving poor health.