Family Matters programme reaches 300 family milestone as number of children in care drops

The city council’s Family Matters programme has already made a big difference across the city – having reached the milestone of working with 300 families in just nine months.

As of the end of September, the programme is providing opportunities for 322 families thanks to enhanced working with partners including the police, schools, the voluntary community and faith sector.

The programme’s work is already having an impact on the numbers of children in care, with 1,110 children currently in care – down from 1,156 in March.

Family Matters is a multi-agency programme that gives families in Stoke-on-Trent access to all the advice, tips and opportunities they need to thrive. It’s a key part of the city council’s commitment to support family life – working with the NHS, voluntary and community sector, businesses and others to make sure families are helped to give their children the best start in life.

The city council has invested £1.5 million from the Public Health Grant into the programme and the NHS Integrated Care Board have invested £1 million, with wider partners providing support in kind. Ultimately, Family Matters will reduce the financial pressures from the care system and reduce the amount spent on children’s care placements.

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services said: “It’s great news that the Family Matters programme is making such a difference to the lives of families in Stoke-on-Trent. I’d like to thank everyone involved in Family Matters for their hard work.

“Supporting family life is one our key aims and we want to ensure there’s a city-wide response to this. Working with our partners and communities, Family Matters does this.

“Early work with families leads to far fewer children in care and we’re already seeing that Family Matters can make a real difference. This makes the continued roll out of Family Matters really important.

“Reducing the number of children in care is not an easy feat and so for the number to have started coming down since the launch of the programme – after rising month on month before this – is fantastic news.”

The Family Matters website is coming soon and residents can find information on the Digital Family Hub at https://familyhub.stoke.gov.uk/