Working with families: lessons and challenges for practice Welfare to Work Convention 2011

2 Title of Presentation ‒ Section ‘Problem family’ focused work is high on the policy – and media - agenda ‘Multiple problems’ ‘Worklessness’ ‘Intergenerational’ ‘Hard to reach, help’ Distant from the labour market

3 Title of Presentation ‒ Section

Substantive context Work Programme – Prime and supply chain, black box, payment by results, large contract commissioning framework Community budgets – piloting local integration of multiple services, starting with families with complex needs As a new departure, the European Social Fund – £200m for work with families ‘with multiple problems, experiencing worklessness’ (more information at 3.30 in Session 37) Plus..

5 Title of Presentation ‒ Section

At take on challenges for practice – within the family and community/locality  The rationality of protecting a position with relative stability and functionality – and realistic, experience based understanding of the risks of change.  Undifferentiated, confrontational, institutionalised, jaundiced stance towards ‘the authorities’ and transitory intervention  Internal dynamics within the ‘family’, different and changing interests, desires and power, fragility  Influence of wider social networks  ‘The informal economy’  All the different facets of the local ‘political economy’ 6 Title of Presentation ‒ Section

At take on challenges – for ‘tasked’ providers  Capacity, skills, training, stamina, aptitude  Massively complex agency interactions, priorities  Identification, access, recruitment  Cost effectiveness, payment drivers  Safeguarding and risk management  Unrealistic expectations from pilot and high profile initiatives– the Heisenburg effect 7 Title of Presentation ‒ Section

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The problem is not a lack of awareness... but the lack of a tested solution’ (Tomorrow’s People) 9 Title of Presentation ‒ Section

Tomorrows People suggest some answers 1.Understanding the extent of difference 2.Full follow through of making interagency work effective and trust inspiring 3.Very straightforward marketing, word of mouth and trusted messengers 4.Identifying and reinforcing positive messages, particularly to parents 5. Working with the particular ebb and flow 6.Unifying activities 10 Title of Presentation ‒ Section