Shelter tests family intervention to combat antisocial behaviour

The charity believes its project marks the first time that family group conferencing has been used to help parents and children at risk of causing antisocial behaviour. The approach is usually used in child protection cases.

The pilot project, launched this week, will take place in Birmingham. After a two-year trial, Shelter hopes to expand it across the country.

The project attempts to teach families about the negative effect their behaviour can have and get them to change their ways. It will also seek to prevent homelessness by making it less likely families will face eviction because of their behaviour.

Families that are showing signs of antisocial behaviour will be referred to the project by local agencies or by parents themselves. The project will deal with families that may have already been in contact with the police or social services, but before any legal steps are taken to deal with their behaviour.

Project staff will speak to agencies that have already worked with the family, including schools if a young person has been truanting, to get a fuller understanding of their background.

The charity will then work with the family in a "conference" meeting to discuss their problems and help the family create an action plan. After the sessions have ended a support worker will keep in touch with the family for six months to help them stick to the plan.

Emma Thompson, family group conferencing co-ordinator at Shelter, said the programme provided a fresh approach to dealing with antisocial behaviour.

"The point is that we intervene with the family before any legal action is taken," she said. "We will stress to them that it is entirely voluntary. It's not going to be agencies telling people how to live their lives - it's a new way of thinking."

- For more information contact: emma_Thompson@shelter.org.uk.