Practitioners, service providers and partners came together this month to celebrate 10 years of Dorset Families Matter, a government funded support scheme which helps the county’s most vulnerable families.
The scheme, which is part of the national ‘Supporting families’ programme, helps families get the support they need to address multiple and often complex issues.
Over the last 10 years, more than 3,500 families in Dorset have been supported through Dorset Families Matter to tackle issues around financial or housing insecurity, poor mental or physical health, domestic abuse, poor educational attainment, or substance misuse.
By adopting a ‘whole family’ approach, the local scheme aims to provide the support needed to resolve issues as soon as they arise. And through working closely with those affected and building supportive relationships, Dorset Council, alongside voluntary and community partners, has been able to help families build better lives for themselves.
One way support from the scheme is making a real difference is in helping vulnerable families struggling with financial difficulties. Thanks to the programme’s strong links with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), families in Dorset have been benefitting from dedicated employment advisors. These advisors have been able to provide tailored support to help families stabilise their finances and where appropriate help them make those important steps back into work.
Cllr Byron Quayle, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help, said:
“The event last week was a great chance to reflect on the last 10 years and celebrate what has been achieved under the Dorset Families Matter programme.
“So many people have been positively affected by Dorset Families Matter in all sorts of ways – our county’s families, our lead practitioners, and our service providers to name just a few.
“I’d like to thank the programme team who have had such a positive impact on our early help system and the support we are able to offer vulnerable and disadvantaged families in Dorset to help them thrive.”
Nationally, the Supporting Families programme has supported over 650,000 families. And according to the UK Government, has ‘reduced the number of children on the programme entering care by 32%, reduced the number of juvenile custodial sentences by almost 40%, and the proportion of adults on the programme claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has decreased by 11%.’
To find out more about the support available to families in Dorset, visit the Dorset Council website.
