Bedford Borough Council in Top 10%- Securing Real Results for 65 Troubled Families

Bedford Borough Council has been ranked 10th out of 151 local authorities nationally in securing positive outcomes for the Troubled Families programme. The latest Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) data reveals that the Council has helped to transform the lives of 65 families with complex needs as part of a groundbreaking government scheme.

The progress of the programme means that: children are back in school where they were previously playing truant or excluded; high levels of youth crime and anti-social behaviour are down; adults are getting off benefits and into work; and the costs to local public services and the burden on the taxpayer are being reduced too.

Bedford Borough Council has also now identified 168 of the hardest to help families who will be offered help by the programme. 85 families are already being worked with, and the scheme remains on track to meet the local authority's target of assisting 245 families in Bedford by 2015.

Lib Dem Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "The Programme has given the Council and its partners a real opportunity to develop its Family Intervention model - working with the whole family to secure lasting, positive change. This work is having a real impact in improving the life chances of families in Bedford Borough."

For any further information, contact Bedford Borough's Troubled Families co-ordinator, Jill, on 01234 276733 or visit www.communities.gov.uk/communities/troubledfamilies