Latest evaluation of Troubled Families Programme shows promising signs of improving outcomes; highlights need for increased evaluation of government programmes across Whitehall

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published analysis of the latest round of the national evaluation of the Troubled Families Programme.

In response, Tom McBride, Director of Evidence at the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF), says:

“The analysis published today shows some promising signs that the Troubled Families Programme is supporting vulnerable families to achieve better outcomes, for example through reduced custodial sentences for both adults and children. We hope the government will use the forthcoming spending review to continue to invest in high-quality, targeted support for vulnerable families, to help children growing up in these situations to avoid the very worst life outcomes.

“The government also deserves credit for investing the time and resources to rigorously evaluate the Troubled Families Programme. Most government initiatives are not well evaluated – which doesn’t mean they don’t work, but it does mean we don’t know. Any moves by government departments to include rigorous evaluation within their plans are to be warmly welcomed: as a country, we can’t afford to be providing services and support which don’t stand a good chance of making a difference.”

*ENDS

Contact:

Mark Ballinger
Head of Communications, EIF
E: mark.ballinger@eif.org.uk
T: 020 3542 2481 (switchboard)

Notes:

• The Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) is an independent charity that champions and supports the use of effective early intervention to improve the lives of children and young people at risk of experiencing negative outcomes. For more information, see: www.eif.org.uk
• The national evaluation reports are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-evaluation-of-the-troubled-families-programme-2015-to-2020-findings  
• In October 2018, the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) published Realising the potential of early intervention, a major report outlining the key barriers to be overcome and changes to be made at national and local level, to ensure effective early intervention is available for the children and families who need it most. Available at: https://www.eif.org.uk/reports/realising-the-potential-of-early-intervention