Derby Family Intervention Project

What are Family Intervention Projects (FIP's)?

Family Intervention Projects have developed out of the Government's anti-social behaviour strategy which has focused on tackling anti-social behaviour such as neighbour nuisance. They have drawn on the pioneering work of the Dundee Families Project estabilished by NCH in 1995.

The Derby Family Intervention Project works within the Housing Operations team of Derby Homes and is based at Osmaston Housing Office. There are two different elements to the project:

Anti-Social Behaviour

The ASB FIP has been operational since November 2007, it represents a last chance for families who have been evicted or are at risk of being evicted because of their anti-social behaviour. These families are amongst the most challenging and are usually known to a variety of organisations/agencies.

The project works to turn around the behaviour of the families and reduce their impact on the community. In doing so, it brings stability to families’ lives, prevents homelessness and improves opportunities for children. It will combine intensive support with  focused challenge - a twin track approach.

Support and enforcement are systematically linked to provide families with the incentive to change. Assessment is carried out with each individual member of the family and the relevant support put into place. This approach recognises the likelihood that all members of the family either contibute to or are affected by the anti-social behaviour.

What are the aims of ASB FIP?

• - Stopping anti-social behaviour by problem families 
• - Preventing homelessness 
• - Providing sustainable routes back to settled housing 
• - Helping to achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes for children and young people 
• - Increasing the effectiveness of multi-agency working

Youth Crime

• The Youth Crime FIP became operational in July 2009 following the expansion of the project; it complements the work of the ASB FIP. The Youth Crime FIP has been estabilished as a result of recommendations outlined within the Youth Crime Action Plan and additional funding provided through the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
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  The Youth Crime FIP targets its delivery and interventions where it is felt that a young person's criminal behaviour is rooted in wider family problems that need a comprehensive and intensive response. This is determined through the use of a detailed assessment matrix that considers both specific child risk indicators and also broader family ones.
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  What are the aims of the Youth Crime FIP?

• - Stopping criminal behaviour
  - Preventing young people from entering into the criminal justice system
  - Preventing young people from becoming Prolific and Priority Offenders
  - Helping to achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes for children and young people to maximise their life chances and opportunities, including improved attendance and attainment at school and reducing risks associated with child protection issues, including risks associated with child protection issues, including neglect and emotional abuse
  - Improving parenting skills and family structures and relationships, including risks associated with domestic violence
  - Preventing homelessness
  - Providing sustainable routes back to settled housing
  - Increasing the effectiveness of multi-agency working and intergrated offender management to deliver a "Think Family" service
  

• Who can refer to the project?

Any organisation or agency that is aware of a family that fits the criteria.

What will we do?

We’ll challenge and support families to address the causes of their anti-social/criminal behaviour. This will be achieved through:

- An assessment of the needs of the whole family and community
- A Specialist Support Worker providing one point of contact for the family
- Liaison with other agencies to co-ordinate support
- Visits to the family on a regular basis – daily if necessary
- Out of hours support
- A contract that clearly outlines the support that will be given and what is expected of the family
- Regular reviews with the family to monitor progress
- Providing homes for those families that keep to the contract

Other contributing factors

All or some of the following may aggravate the anti-social/criminal behaviour and be identified as a support need for the family. However, unless some or all of the main criteria can be met, these factors alone will not be a reason to refer a family to the project.

- Drug/alcohol misuse
- Poor housing conditions
- Debts
- Lack of basic skills
- Poor parenting skills
- Poor life skills
- Crime
- Physical/mental health problems
- Low income
- Poor prospects of employment
- Domestic violence

Who do I contact for more information?

Lorraine Testro
Derby Family Intervention Project Manager
Osmaston Local Housing Office
152-154 Addison Road
Derby, DE24 8FL

Telephone: 01332 717872

Mobile: 07919 242028

Email: Lorraine.Testro@derbyhomes.org

To download this information as a PDF leaflet, click on the link below:

 Derby Family Intervention Project – (2.227 KB)