Early help – Children's Workforce Guide to Qualifications and Training

In January 2020, the government confirmed the five-year Troubled Families programme would be extended until March 2021, with up to £165m additional funding. The programme aims to tackle the needs of a whole family, addressing problems such as domestic abuse and debt. The new framework extends eligibility for the programme to expectant mothers.

There are concerns Covid-19 will result in unmet targets, and reduced funding, as most councils are funded for meeting outcomes such as school attendance. County Council Network analysis found local authority spending on early intervention had fallen by £436m between 2015/16 and 2019/20.

Troubled Families workers may be employed directly by a local authority or a partner agency. The programme’s 2019/20 annual report found the number of staff involved in delivering the programme was increasing, from an average of 111 per council in 2015 to 144 in 2018.

Increasingly, the funding is paying for training for a range of professions, including family workers, youth workers, social workers, housing staff, police, health and work coaches, with support for families embedded in a wider service offer rather than in a dedicated Troubled Families team. Often, the offer has a name which focuses on the strength of families such as Stronger Families or Families First.

There are three roles within the programme: keyworkers; co-ordinators; and employment advisers. Keyworkers work directly with the family and 61 per cent hold NVQ Level 4 or above, while 29 per cent have NVQ 1 to 3, according to a 2020 evaluation of the programme. Co-ordinators lead a team of keyworkers. They are likely to hold a NVQ Level 4 or above. The majority – 97 per cent – are employed by a local authority and most have responsibility for other services as well as the Troubled Families team.

Employment advisers are based in job centres and help families move into, or closer to, employment. Many also spend time training local authority and Jobcentre Plus staff. Almost three in 10 hold at least a degree or equivalent, and just over 43 per cent have an A level or equivalent. The most common route into the role is by working as a work coach or employment adviser, a lone parent adviser or an outreach adviser.

Training offered depends on the local authority and can include training specific to local and emerging needs such as gang violence.

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