Lincolnshire Case Studies
Family A
Family A is a mother and teenage son living with her partner.
The family faced many complex needs including:
- Property repairs had not been reported and access for repairs had been denied
- Both were unemployed and received means tested benefits
- The family were having a negative impact on the whole community
- The son has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and is prescribed daily medication
- The mother suffers with her mental health and depression
- The son had been arrested more than 30 times for criminal and anti-social behaviour, leading to a Youth Referral Order, curfew, an electronic tag being fitted and an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) being signed
- The son hadn’t attended school since January 2009
Since the Families Working Together Service (FWT) have been working with the family:
- The son has not been arrested or connected to criminal activity, saving around £89,000
- His ABC, tag and curfew have been complied with
- One to one parenting support has boosted the mother’s self-esteem within a month, saving around £500
- Team Around the Child support was put in place with an FWT worker visiting each morning to help with routines, encouraging school attendance and addressing aggressive behaviour, leading to the abstention of legal action started by Education Welfare, which avoided associated costs
- The son lives elsewhere one day a week to develop social skills and employment prospects, saving around £25,000
- A payment plan is addressing rent arrears and all repairs have been carried out, or appointments made to complete the work, saving around £500
There have been huge improvements since a substance misuse CAHMS worker started work with the son.
Total anticipated savings are around £112,000.
Family B
Family B is an expectant mum and her four young children. They are tenants on an extended introductory tenancy owing to property neglect, anti-social behaviour and serious rent arrears.
The family faced many complex needs including:
- Being served with a Notice of Proceedings for breaches of tenancy.
- Mum is unemployed and received means tested benefits, her tax credits stopped and she struggles to manage her budget
- Mum has mental health issues
- One child has ADHD and Autism
- The family were having a negative impact on the whole community
- One child set a mattress alight inside the occupied home.
Since the Families Working Together Service (FWT) has been working with the family:
- The family have visited Fire HQ and been involved in a health and safety discussions about their home, saving around £500
- One to one parenting support was implemented, including rewards and sanctions for the children to help behaviour, boosting the mother’s confidence, leading to no further complaints being made to the police or council around anti-social behaviour
- Positive activities in the summer holidays have strengthened family relationships, saving around £8,500
- Morning visits to help establish routines have led to the children getting to school on time and going to breakfast clubs, with the attendance of the eldest two boosted from 71% to 96%, preventing potential legal proceedings and saving around £24,000
- Affordable payment plans are being set up to prevent legal proceedings starting
- Mum is attending a parenting course and getting daily FWT support
- She is also receiving counseling to help with her mental health
- The Notice of Proceedings has expired as well as introductory tenancy demotion making her a secure tenant with more rights
Total anticipated savings are more than £86,000.
