Families First is a Welsh Government funded programme that aims to achieve better health and wellbeing, education and employment for families living in poverty. Local authorities are able choose how to spend the funding in their area in a way that will make the most difference locally. Before the programme started in 2012 we spoke to many families who told us the areas they wanted additional support with were money and finances, mental and emotional health, domestic abuse and support to find employment. We then looked at what support was available already and used the funding to fill any gaps we found.
What’s changed?
The Families First programme has been up and running for three years and we are starting to see evidence of the difference it is making to people’s lives. With the programme due to come to an end in two years’ time we are planning now to make sure this good work continues in the long term. We are speaking to families about what has worked well and what could be improved; supporting projects to find ways to continue after the end of the programme; and, looking at what services will be needed in future and how to fund them. We are doing much of this work jointly with other North Wales local authorities which helps us make the most of our resources and find areas where it is better for us to work together to provide services. We have also combined our experiences of commissioning Families First into a ‘toolkit’ that we’ve shared across Wales.
What difference has it made?
In 2014-15 Families First provided advice about money that helped families in the Conwy County Borough secure over £1.5 million in additional benefits and concessions. The joint work with other local authorities into what services are needed has led to joint contracts for a Young Carers service and Advocacy for Children and Young People. Families First projects have also helped over 5,000 family members including support to access employment, play opportunities, parenting, family counselling and mediation, and projects to support children with disabilities. Families taking part have given fantastic feedback about the difference the support has made and the data we collect shows improvements for families that includes increased confidence, resilience and better relationships and family life.