Supporting families programme

The supporting families programme is the new name for the government’s troubled families programme. In Ealing the troubled families programme was previously known as Think Family Plus. We are now into the third phase of the programme from 2022 to 2025. Since its inception in 2012 the supporting families programme continues to identify eligible families and track their journey through services.

In Ealing the supporting families programme is fully integrated into our services. Initially a fully ‘payment by results’ programme, the supporting families programme generates income to pay for our interventions including funding specific posts and commissioning interventions.

In 2018 Ealing was one of 14 local authorities to be awarded ‘earned autonomy’ status following a rigorous selection process, which provides upfront investment to drive and expedite service transformation. The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities oversee this work and regularly monitor and review our progress against national criteria.

Programme objectives

  • See vulnerable families thrive, building their resilience by providing effective, whole family support to help prevent escalation into statutory services
  • To drive system change locally and nationally, working with local authorities and their partners to create joined up local services, able to identify families in need, provide the right support at the right time, and track their outcomes in the long term

Find out more about the national supporting Families prorgramme