Published: Thursday, 21st January, 2010 10:00am

Council to intervene in family life

by Adam Hewitt

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PROBLEMATIC families which cost taxpayers thousands of pounds will be targeted through an intervention programme.

Around 20 families a year will be involved and have a council worker with them for four to five hours on two or three days a week to try to improve their life chances and decrease their impact on the police and social services.

Mark Evans, Reading Borough Council's Change for Children manager, said: "It's very much a carrot and stick approach. It's a case of practical support as well as sanctions if necessary through anti-social behaviour legislation or the threat of eviction." His report said the project will have a "disproportionate impact" despite the small number of families by also helping those who live near them.

Reading has grants worth £333,000 to run a Family Intervention Project. The projects have proved successful in other areas and usually save the taxpayer more than they cost by improving skills and reducing crime.

The scheme was approved at Reading's Cabinet meeting on Monday night, when children's services leader Cllr John Ennis said: "It helps them and it helps society in general."