Policy paper

Improving lives: Helping Workless Families

This publication sets out proposals to improve outcomes for children who grow up in workless families and face multiple disadvantages.

Documents

Improving Lives: Helping Workless Families

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Improving Lives: Helping Workless Families (print-ready PDF)

ODT (Word-compatible): Improving Lives: Helping Workless Families

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Details

This publication sets out plans to improve the support given to workless families and their children, so that they can overcome the complex problems they face. The proposals outlined in this document include:

  • launching the next phase of the Troubled Families Programme, which will place a greater emphasis on helping parents with complex needs into work
  • a new programme to reduce parental conflict by providing access to proven support for the most disadvantaged families, whether parents are together or separated
  • enhancing the role of Jobcentre Plus in working with local partners in a more joined-up way, to identify people with complex needs at the right time and better address their needs
  • greater support to help those with drug and alcohol dependencies into work, by implementing recommendations from Dame Carol Black’s review of employment and drug and alcohol dependency

We have published an evidence base to support this publication.

The report on workless households and educational attainment statutory indicators supports this publication and has been prepared in accordance with the Life Chances Act 2010 as amended.

The Department for Communities and Local Government’s Troubled Families Annual Report sets out more detail on the next phase of the programme and should be read in conjunction with this publication.

Published 4 April 2017
Last updated 23 June 2017 + show all updates
  1. Revised version of the ODT (Word-compatible) document only. Page 10, below paragraph 24 - the label on the vertical (y) axis of the chart has been corrected and now reads 'Proportion of children in couple-parent families reporting relationship distress'.

  2. Added ODT version of the policy paper.

  3. First published.