Think Family

What is Think Family?

The Think Family initiative was introduced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) in 2008 following the Cabinet Office’s 'Families at Risk' Review. ‘At risk’ is a term used to describe families who are experiencing multiple and complex problems, which frequently lead to poor outcomes for children within those families.

The basis of a Think Family approach is to co-ordinate the response to families in order to:

  • identify families at risk of poor outcomes to provide support at the earliest opportunity
  • meet the full range of needs within each family they are supporting or working with
  • develop services which can respond effectively to the most challenging families
  • strengthen the ability of family members to provide care and support to each other
  • develop a corporate responsibility for families incorporating a culture shift at all levels.

The intention is to ensure that the Think Family approach underlies all our core services to children and adults, particularly to those experiencing multiple and complex problems, and that services and partner agencies are wholly co-ordinated to maximise their effectiveness.