Parenting and support orders - Family Intervention Projects

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Family Intervention Project (FIP) works with families that are persistently anti-social. The family could either be taken into residential accommodation, or given support at home, to change their behaviour. The FIP takes a ‘whole family’ approach, looking at what drives the family to behave as it does, and what services need to be involved.

Does it work?
Your Homes Newcastle manages the FIP. Nine families took part in the FIP between April 2007 and March 2008. When referred to the FIP, persistent, assertive workers make sure the family stays on track and engaged with the project. The workers also keep the agencies that need to provide services to the family on board. As well as providing help to change their behaviour, they can impose or threaten sanctions to turn them away from bad behaviour. A contract sets out the changes expected, support that will be provided and sanctions that can be imposed if things do not improve.

How it works

“We were the family from hell,” admits Linda. “But look at the change in us – no one would recognise us now!” Linda and her family had been threatened with eviction because of the unruly behaviour of her teenage sons. At the end of her tether, she agreed to work with the FIP. The family signed a contract with clear targets, and after six months there was significant improvement. Linda and one of her sons attended a parenting course and the FIP worker made sure they applied everything they learned at home. The boys were introduced to local sports clubs and found positive things to do with their time. The family has kept its home and feels good about its achievements.