Family Intervention Project

The Family Intervention Project (FIP) in Torbay has been implemented to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), homelessness and youth crime (YC). Families from across Torbay are eligible for the ASB FIP, whilst the YC FIP is targeted at key hotspots of Pendennis and Foxhole. The model of delivery has been defined by the Youth Task Force and has been developed following years of successful practice

• Aim
• Achieving the Aim
• How we work

Aim

The primary aim of the Family Intervention Project (FIP) is to support and challenge families to reduce their anti-social behaviour/ risk of homelessness and restore safety to their lives, their homes and to the wider community.

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Achieving the Aim

The Family Intervention Project recognises the likelihood that families eligible for the project will require intensive, robust support across a range of ecological issues.  In light of the nature and intensity of the FIP role, workers will have the capacity to work with up to five families at any time. This will be dependant on individual levels of need.  In order to remain true to the ethos of FIP, workers can potentially be involved at any level deemed necessary. The role of FIP is not time restricted.

To achieve this aim we will;

1. Engage families in a highly intensive multi agency package of support.
2. Undertake comprehensive multi agency needs led assessments.
3. Develop and deliver a comprehensive plan alongside the family.
4. Work closely with multi-agency partners to assist families to re-engage with mainstream services living successfully within their local communities.
5. Contribute positively towards the five key outcomes through Every Child Matters.

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How we work

1. Referral

The ‘route’ for ASB FIP and YC FIP referrals are likely to differ though:

• ASB – criteria requires family to be involved in high risk (dangerous, abusive or reckless) ASB and/or at risk of losing their home due their ASB.
  
  Due to the ASB protocol and role Safer Communities takes in either leading or supporting all enforcement action, it is appropriate for all ASB related referral to come via the Safer Communities ASB team – this can however be done jointly with the Police, Registered Social Landlord (RSL), and other agencies.
  
  
• YC – criteria focuses on youth offending, whether that is direct as a consequence of a history of youth offending or where an older person/prolific young offender may impact upon younger family members. This project is focused in Pendennis and Foxhole. It is likely that those referred to the FIP will already be known to Youth Offending Team (YOT) and or the Police.
  
  The referring agency will have an inititial conversation with the FIP to discuss the referral. If it is agreed that the referral is appropriate for the FIP, the referring agent will make an appointment to visit the family with the FIP Senior Practitioner.
  
  A keyworker is allocated to the family who will complete the internal tracker forms in order to complete the risk assessment. The family is re-visited to introduce the keyworker to the family.

2. Multi agency referral meeting

A multi agency referral meeting will take place within 2 weeks of allocation to gather further information about the family. This will involve the family, the keyworker and all other agencies currently involved.  Details of professionals involved are held on the family file and recorded within all formal meeting minutes.

3. Assessment

Once the above has been completed, the keyworker will then commence the assessment. The keyworker will be required to undertake a detailed assessment of the entire family. This is an intensive exercise and will take no longer than 6 weeks inorder to assess the entire family resulting in a range of recommendations which will form the basis of the SMART action plan.

From day 1 the intervention will start and if necessary, action will be taken to address behaviours during the assessment process.

4. Multi agency review meeting

A Multi-Agency Review Meeting will be arranged within 8 weeks following the Initial Family Meeting. The keyworker will arrange the meeting which will include the parent(s). At this meeting, the action plan and behaviour contract will be discussed; all agencies will be made aware of their responsibilities and given a copy of the action plan.

5. On-going support work with the families

The keyworker now starts to work with the family in delivering the action plan. This will require a minimum of 6 hrs a week working directly with each family. The family is made aware of their short, medium and long-term goals and how the work they will be doing with the keyworker will achieve those goals. It is the responsibility of the keyworker to ensure that the agencies involved do their part. If at any time during the family engagement the keyworker has safeguarding concerns, the keyworker is to follow the escallation process as identified in the DCSF document ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’.

6. Multi agency meeting

Review meetings will be held at no later than 8 weekly intervals to assess the family progress in accordance wih their Action Plan.  The keyworker will convene a multi agency meeting and verify the families compliance with their Behaviour Contract.  A revised action plan will be developed for each 8 week period. This will continue until the action plan has been fully delivered and it is appropriate for the FIP to formulate an exit strategy with the family. In certain circumstances a meeting may be arranged at short notice, well in advance of the 8 weeks.

7. Exit strategy

As the action support plan nears completion, the keyworker will have a graduated exit from the family as they become more empowered to take control. During this period, the keyworker will make a referral as appropriate to ensure housing related support is in place for the family once the keyworker has finished (The family are made aware that they can contact their keyworker should they need to). The keyworker will maintain occassional contact with the family to ensure they are still progressing well.

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