Tuesday 04 Apr 2017 @ 16:20
Department for Work and Pensions
Printable version

New support to help workless families and improve children’s lives

New plans to help workless families break the cycle of disadvantage have been announced, as part of building a fairer society.

Research shows the profound impact that parents who are workless, and experiencing a range of associated problems, can have on children’s chances of success. The new analysis shows children in workless families are almost twice as likely to not reach the expected level at all stages of their education. Three quarters of children from families where no one works failed to reach the expected level at GCSE, compared to around half of children in lower-income working families.

An estimated 300,000 workless families are potentially affected by conflict between parents. Research also suggests that children’s emotional, behavioural and educational success are strongly influenced by their parents’ relationship. Children whose parents are in long-term, unresolved conflict with one another – whether or not their parents are together – are less likely to do well in school and in adulthood. A child is also more likely to do well if they have a close, supportive relationship with their father and this is made more difficult when separated parents are in conflict. Only half of children in separated families see their non-resident parent every fortnight or more.

To help address one of these root causes of disadvantage, the government is today announcing an innovative new programme, backed by £30 million, to help parents resolve conflict and improve children’s chances of succeeding in life.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Damian Green, said:

I don’t want any child to be defined by the circumstances of their birth. Every child should benefit from a strong relationship between their parents – whether they are together or separated.

Today marks the start of new support to help families overcome the problems they face to make sure that every child can go as far as their talents will take them.

The new support announced today by the government aims to change the way local services are delivered to support struggling families. To help address the range of problems that workless families face, the government is setting out details of the next phase of the Troubled Families Programme, including more emphasis on helping parents into work.

The government has already made substantial progress in this area – the number of children in workless households is down 590,000 since 2010 – but there is still more work to be done to help unemployed parents who face complex problems. In 2014 to 2015, 1 in 8 UK children were in families where no one was in work.

This new approach forms part of plans to do more to turn Britain into a country where success is defined by work and talent, not birth or circumstance.

‘Improving Lives: Helping Workless Families’ published today is the first in a series of initiatives aimed at tackling the problems that prevent families from getting on in life. Another announcement in the paper includes enhancing the role of Jobcentre Plus in working with local partners to tackle collectively the multiple disadvantages facing unemployed individuals in a better, more joined-up way.

As recommended by Dame Carol Black in her independent review into the impact on employment outcomes of drug or alcohol addiction, and obesity, the following proposals have also been announced:

  • a trial of the Individual and Placement Support approach to help people addicted to drugs and alcohol back into employment
  • a new network of peer mentors to act as trusted role models for people with drugs and alcohol dependencies, to help them back into employment
  • an expansion of the Access to Work fund to provide people with drugs and alcohol dependencies with the support they need to enter or stay in work

Contact Press Office

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 3267 5123

Press Office

Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA

London Press Office (national media and London area enquiries only – not questions about personal claims) 020 3267 5144

Out-of-hours (journalists only) 076 59 108 883

England and Wales (local media enquiries) 029 20 586 then 097 or 098 or 099

Scotland (local media enquiries) 0131 310 1122

Follow DWP on:

 

Channel website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions

Share this article

Latest News from
Department for Work and Pensions

Back to work boost as quarter of a million workplace training places delivered

17/04/2024 15:10:00

More than a quarter of a million workplace training places for benefit claimants have been delivered in just three years, new data reveals.

£1.5 Million investment to improve in-work health services as part of government drive to tackle inactivity

15/04/2024 12:10:00

Reforms to occupational health services will be shaped through a £1.5m innovation fund, as the government continues its drive to tackle in work sickness and boost economic activity using new technology and artificial intelligence.

Working parents on Universal Credit set receive up to £20,872 a year in childcare support

10/04/2024 16:20:00

Parents on Universal Credit can now receive up to £1,311 more a year in childcare support following a 6.7% boost coming into effect, as the government’s expansion of free childcare for working parents delivers 150,000 places in a week.

Fraudsters behind £53.9 million benefits scam brought to justice in country’s largest benefit fraud case

10/04/2024 14:15:00

A group who stole over £50 million of taxpayers’ money has been brought to justice in the largest ever benefit fraud case in England and Wales.

Government reaffirms commitment to backing pensioners with £900 rise to state pension

10/04/2024 10:10:10

The State Pension is increasing by 8.5 percent as part of the Government’s commitment to support pensioners in retirement.

Half a million more benefit claimants set to benefit from back to work support as Universal Credit expands

10/04/2024 09:20:00

Half a million people claiming old benefits will be invited to claim Universal Credit, unlocking all the work support it offers.

New guide published to help businesses boost disabled people’s prospects at work

09/04/2024 12:20:00

A new Disability Confident guide for managers helping them recruit, retain, and foster the progression of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace has been published today by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

£5 billion in support for energy bills paid this Winter

05/04/2024 15:25:00

An estimated £5 billion in support has been paid throughout Winter to help families with energy costs.

New laws to cut migration and put British workers first in force

05/04/2024 12:12:00

Changes that are now in force will slash migration and prevent the undercutting of British workers by employers looking to recruit cheap labour from overseas.