Luton Stronger Families
Outcomes Plan
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
Purpose
Our Stronger Families Outcome Plan has been developed to evidence how we will measure and demonstrate significant and sustained progress with families
eligible for support under the national Troubled Families Programme.
The programme, locally called ‘Stronger Families’, aims to improve outcomes for children and intervene earlier in families with problems. To be eligible for
support all families must include dependent children aged 0-15 in a household or aged 16-18 in full time education, in training or unemployed and living in a
family with their parents. Families are prioritised for inclusion on the basis that:
 They are families with multiple problems who are most likely to benefit from an integrated, whole-family approach; and
 They are families who are the highest cost to the public purse.
The Luton Strategic Vision
This plan supports a different approach to working with families and will secure savings to the public purse by reducing the need for reactive and specialist
services and by reducing duplication across our local services. We will achieve this:

By allocating a dedicated worker or agency to help the families to address the underlying problems as a whole, rather than individual
services/agencies responding to the presenting problem of each family member;

By working with the whole family in a way which recognises they interact and influence each other rather than viewing them as individuals with a
problem;

By developing a relationship with the family, being persistent and building trust with them in order to challenge them to make the changes they need
to, step by step;

And, where necessary, drawing in specialist services in a sequenced way at the right time for the family rather than services being available on the
basis of meeting thresholds and availability.
This Outcomes Plan provides a Borough wide set of significant and sustainable outcome measures applicable to all families. If a family meets two of the
above criteria then relevant outcomes would be drawn from each Family Outcomes Plan and form the goals against which significant and sustained progress
would be judged for this family. While families may be identified as eligible for the programme on the basis of two problems, the information available at the
point of identification may not reflect the entirety of each family’s complexity of problems. Some problems, such as domestic violence or abuse, or mental
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
illness, may be hidden from public services until work begins with the family and uncovers the full extent of their needs. The Stronger Families Programme is a
programme for families with multiple, high cost problems.
Where qualitative sources of information are required to support an outcome, Luton services will use a reliable, valid, measurement tool. Some outcomes are
interchangeable and can complement other criteria. Where this is the case the relevant colour code has been used in the far right hand column.
This plan is also based upon key local policy and strategy drivers and underpinned by Luton’s Sustainable Community Strategy ~ Our vision for Luton in 2026;
and the Luton Borough Council Corporate Plan. Our overall aim is to intervene as early as possible to support better outcomes for families and is based upon
our Luton Borough Council Children and Learning Service Thresholds Booklet, and developed from the Luton Early Help Strategy, which identifies its priority
outcomes as:

Building resilience in families for the future

Addressing issues in families at an early stage
Support for families on our Stronger Families programme is provided by a partnership of statutory and voluntary services. We will also ensure that families are
engaged directly in this partnership and are actively involved in developing solutions to their problems. This approach will help to develop lasting resilience in
families and to create a shared focus between professionals and family members. To do this we will adapt the ‘Strengthening Families’ conference model and
focus on;

Helping families to participate fully in indentifying problems, identifying support, developing plans by building upon their strengths.

Assisting all participants to assess the risk to the child(ren) accurately.

Assisting all participants to be engaged in the development and implementation of a Family Plan.
This plan is formatted under six nationally identified criteria, as specified in coloured boxes below, with links to key Luton Borough Council Strategic Plans.
Within each criteria, we have established ‘Indicators’ to support the identification of families eligible for support under the Luton Stronger Families programme
and most importantly under the ‘Outcomes ‘section specified how we plan to measure success for families in achieving significant and sustained progress.
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
Parents and
young people
involved in
crime or
antisocial
behaviour.
Key Luton Borough
Council Strategic
Plans:
The Luton Children
and Young
People’s Plan.
The Youth Justice
Plan for Luton.
Luton Community
Safety
(SoLUTIONs)
Partnership Plan.
Prevent Delivery
Plan.
Children who
have not been
attending
school
regularly.
Children who
need help.
Adults out of
work or at risk of
financial
exclusion, and
young people at
high risk of
worklessness.
Key Luton Borough
Council Strategic
Plans:
Key Luton Borough
Council Strategic
Plans:
The Luton Children
and Young
People’s Plan.
The Luton Children
and Young
People’s Plan.
Key Luton Borough
Council Strategic
Plans:
Luton’s Family
Poverty Strategy.
The Luton Health &
Wellbeing Strategy.
Luton’s Teenage
Pregnancy Strategy
The Luton Children
and Young
People’s Plan.
The Youth Justice
Plan for Luton.
Child Sexual
Exploitation Action
Plan.
Gangs and Youth &
Young Person
Violent Crime
Partnership
Strategy.
Luton’s Housing
Strategy
Luton Family
Poverty Strategy.
Luton Skills and
Employability
Strategy.
Families
affected by
domestic
violence or
abuse.
Key Luton
Borough
Council
Strategic Plans:
The Luton
Children and
Young People’s
Plan.
Luton
Community
Safety
(SoLUTIONs)
Partnership
Plan.
Luton Domestic
Abuse Strategy.
Parents and
children with a
range of health
problems.
Key Luton
Borough Council
Strategic Plans:
Luton Health &
Wellbeing
Strategy.
The Luton
Children and
Young People’s
Plan.
Luton’s Children
and Young
People’s
Emotional and
Mental Health
Wellbeing
Strategy.
Luton’s Healthy
Weight Strategy
for the Prevention
and Management
of Obesity in
Adults and
Children.
Luton’s Housing
Strategy.
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
1.
Parents and young people involved in crime or antisocial behaviour
Indicator
a. a child* who has committed a proven offence** in the previous 12 months
b. an adult or child who has received an Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) intervention (or equivalent local measure) in the last 12 months
c. an adult prisoner who is less than 12 months from his / her release date and will have parenting responsibilities on release
d. an adult who is currently subject to licence or supervision in the community following release from prison and has parenting responsibility
e. an adult currently serving a community order or suspended sentence who has parenting responsibility
f.
adults or children referred by professional because their potential crime problem or offending behaviour is of equivalent concern to indicators above

family members with known gang affiliations (nominal)

number of police callouts to household

radicalisation or extremism
* Under 18 year olds
** A proven offence is one where a formal outcome is given, either in or out of court
Outcome(s)
Source
Bedfordshire Police Service
1.1 No proven offending in the last 6 months.
1.2 Reduction in ASB in the family home in the last six months or successful completion of an
Acceptable Behaviour Intervention: Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), ASB Civil Injunction,
Acceptable Behaviour Contract, Good Neighbour Agreement, Community Protection Notice or
Criminal Behaviour Order on conviction of a criminal offence.
Luton Youth Offending
Service
Bedfordshire Police Service
Luton Youth Offending
Service
LBC Housing and Community
Living Service
Priority ASB Team
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
Interchangeable outcomes
Bedfordshire Police Service
1.3 Reduction in police call outs to family home within a 6 month period.
LBC Housing and Community
Living Service
Priority ASB Team
FSW Case Closure summary
detailing scope of
intervention & impact
1.4 Reduction in risk of gang affiliation after successful interventions
Multi-Agency Gang
Panel(MAGPAN)
Luton Youth Offending
Service
1.5 Reduction in risk of radicalisation or extremism after successful interventions
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
CHANNEL Panel
2.
Children who have not been attending school regularly
Indicator
a. a child who is persistently absent from school for an average across at least the last three consecutive terms (10% missed session)
b. a child who has received at least 3 fixed term exclusions in the last 3 consecutive school terms
c. a child at primary school who has had at least 5 days of fixed term exclusion in the last 3 consecutive school terms
d. a child of any age who has had at least 10 days of fixed term exclusion in the last 3 consecutive school terms
e. a child who has been permanently excluded from school in the last 3 consecutive school terms
f.
a child who is in alternative provision
g. a child who is neither registered with a school nor being educated otherwise
h. a child referred by an education professional as having school attendance problems of equivalent concerns to the indicators above because he / she is
not receiving a suitable full time education*
* Suitable education is defined as appropriate to the child’s age, ability and aptitude; and to any special educational needs, either by regular attendance or
otherwise.
Outcome(s)
Source
School Census
LBC Support Challenge and
Intervention Service
2.1 Every child in the household has attended school including alternative learning provision,
over three consecutive terms, in excess of 90% of expected time table.
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service
Education Welfare Service
LBC Avenue Centre for
Education/Alternative
Learning Programme
Luton Youth Offending
Service
TOKKO - Fairbridge Project
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
Interchangeable outcomes
School Census
LBC Support Challenge and
Intervention Service
2.2. Every child in the household has attended school in excess of 90%, over three
consecutive terms, with no more than 2 fixed term exclusions per person.
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service
Education Welfare Service
LBC Avenue Centre for
Education/Alternative
Learning Programme
Luton Youth Offending
Service
School Census
2.3 Every child in the household has attended school in excess of 90% over three consecutive
terms with no permanent exclusions.
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service
Education Welfare Service
LBC Avenue Centre for
Education/Alternative
Learning Programme
Luton Youth Offending
Service
2.4 School age children not on a school roll are supported to find a school place or suitable
alternative educational provision.
Ace
EWS
CME
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
3.
Children who need help
Indicator
a. A child who has been identified as needing early help* or a child who has been assessed as needing early help including those children who have had
an early help assessment (CAF),
b. A child in need under section 17 of The Children Act 1989
c. A child who has been subject to an enquiry under section 47, The Children Act 1989 or a child subject to a child protection plan
d. Teenage pregnancy – families where a mother gave birth at the age of 18 or under, in the last 12 months
e. Families where a child has been listed as missing by the police or a child who has been identified as being at risk of sexual exploitation
f. A child referred by a professional as having a problem of equivalent concern to the indicators above;

A child or young person affected by family violence or abuse

A child or young person in receipt of Free School Meals

A child or young person for whom the Pupil Premium or the Early Years Pupil Premium has been allocated to the school or early years provider

A child or young person affected by parent/carer’s alcohol and substance misuse
*Children below the threshold for services under Section 17 Children Act 1989
Outcome(s)
3.1 Early Help referred case closed and there are no repeat referrals in the following 6 month
period.
Source
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
Team
Luton Youth Offending Service
TOKKO (Young Fathers/Young
Mothers/LGBT Groups)
Stronger Families commissioned
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
Interchangeable outcomes
services Family Group
Conferencing
Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire
3.2 Improved behaviour of a child or young person for a six month period and improved
parenting skills where relevant. Measured by a reliable, valid, measurement tool
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
Team
Luton Youth Offending Service
TOKKO (Young Fathers/Young
Mothers Groups)
Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire (if not referred to
Family Meeting Service for FGC
or Mediation intervention)
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
Team
3.3 Improved family functioning for a 6 month period (Improvement in ability to manage
Luton Youth Offending Service
conflict in the family and in family relationships) over a 6 month period. Measured by a
LBC Specialist Family Support
Service
reliable, valid, measurement tool.
Stronger Families commissioned
services Family Group
Conferencing
TOKKO (Young Fathers/Young
Mothers/LGBT Groups)
Luton Family Meeting Service
3.4 No further requirement to have a children in need plan or child protection plan and the
case is closed or stepped down to Early Help (PEI) and no repeat referral for statutory social
care (SFS) in a 6 month period.
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
LBC Specialist Family Support
Service
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
Team
3.5 No further requirement to have a child(ren) looked after by LBC and the child(ren) are
reunified with their family and no repeat referral for statutory social care (SFS) in a 6 month
period.
3.6 A teenager who is pregnant or a teenage mother engages with Targeted Youth Support
or Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) for a 6 month period following pregnancy or the birth of a
child and achieves the key outcomes as identified through individual needs analysis.
LBC Specialist Family Support
Service
LBC Public Health
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Targeted
Youth Support Team
3.7 Take up of 2 or 3 year old funding entitlement for early education and attending regularly
for at least a six month period.
3.8 A child referred as at risk of child sexual exploitation has reduced risk for 6 months (as
declared by SFS) that demonstrates increased parental capacity to protect children and
Children’s Centres
Bedfordshire Police Service
LBC Specialist Family Support
Service
child’s ability to identify abusive behaviours and make consensual choices).
Child Sexual Exploitation Panel
(CSEP)
Bedfordshire Police Service
3.9 Young people reported as missing are identified and supported to stay safe and no
incidents of going missing as compared with previous 6 month period.
LBC Specialist Family Support
Service
Bedfordshire Missing Children
Panel
Children’s Centre’s
3.10 A child achieves a good level of development by reaching the expected level in the first
12 of the 17 Early Learning Goals measured at the end of the Reception year.
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
Early Years Providers
LBC Support Challenge and
Intervention Service
3.11 Risk’s to the safety and wellbeing of a child (ren) are identified and escalated
Early Help Module
appropriately in line with the LSCB Threshold Framework thereby ensuring identified risks
LBC Specialist Family Support
Service
are appropriately managed.
4.
Adults out of work or at risk of financial exclusion, and young people at high risk of worklessness
Indicator
a. Claiming any out-of-work benefits (Employment and Support Allowance; Incapacity Benefit; Carer’s Allowance; Income Support; Job Seekers Allowance;
Severe Disablement Allowance; or Universal Credit).
b. A child who is about to leave school, has no/few qualifications and no planned education, training or employment
c. A young person who is not in education, training or employment (NEET)
d. Parents and families nominated by professionals as being at significant risk of financial exclusion. This may include those with
problematic/unmanageable levels and forms of debt and those with significant rent arrears
 Family has debt or financial problems that impact on their ability to meet basic family needs e.g. food, clothing, accommodation
 Family that uses Food Banks
 Rent or council tax arrears with threat of eviction from home
 Family with a parent or young person at risk of sanctions by the DWP
Outcome(s)
Source
4.1 13 weeks consecutive employment (or 26 out of last 30 weeks for JSA).
Job Centre Plus
DWP Troubled Family
Employment Advisor
Luton Access
ESF Projects
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
Interchangeable outcomes
4.2 An adult or over 16 (NEET) makes job ready progress to work; enrolled in higher or further
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Youth
Advice Service/Children
Transitions Team
education or apprenticeship for at least 13 weeks (or completion of whole training course if
DWP Troubled Family
Employment Advisor
lasts between 8 – 12 weeks), or formal volunteering or work experience or a programme or
Luton Access
course which removes a barrier to work for the individual.
ESF Projects
Luton Youth Offending
Service
Transitions Team
4.3 An income and debt re-payment plan is in place and implemented for at least 13 weeks
Luton Access
and there is no escalation in sanctions or further arrears identified.
LBC Housing and Community
Living Service
Job Centre Plus
4.4 On Universal Credit but meets earnings threshold (£330 for adults 25+ or £270 for >25).
DWP Troubled Family
Employment Advisor
Luton Access
5.
Families affected by domestic violence or abuse
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
Indicator
a. The young person or adult known to local services has experienced, is currently experiencing or is at risk of experiencing domestic violence or abuse
b. A young person or adult who is known to local services as having perpetrated an incident of domestic violence or abuse in the last 12 months
c. A household or family member has been subject to a police call out for at least one domestic violence or abuse incident in the last 12 months
Outcome(s)
Source
5.1 Increased safety for family demonstrated using the following measures:
1. No further recorded incidents of domestic violence recorded at home address for 6
months(
Bedfordshire Police Service
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service
2. A reduction in disclosures of domestic violence or abuse for a 6 month period, or none
(and therefore no DASH completed), or a DASH score of below 14 reduced and
sustained
LBC Specialist Family Support
Service
3. No repeat MARAC referral in 6 months since first referral (any repeats, professional
judgement or score over 14)
Stronger Families
commissioned services DVA
4.
MARAC
Conviction/civil remedy/ DVPO regarding perpetrator
5. Perpetrator participates in change programmes which evidences change in behaviour.
IDVA Service/Victim Support
Children Centre data
Bedfordshire Police Service
5.2 Perpetrator engages/accepts support (including change programmes) and no further
CAADA DASH assessment required for 6 months against the victim and the perpetrator does
not generate any further risk assessments based upon their actions.
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service
LBC Specialist Family Support
Service
IDVA Service/Victim Support
Probation – Community
Rehabilitation Company
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
Interchangeable outcomes
6.
Parents and children with a range of health problems
Indicator
a. An adult with mental health problems* who has parenting responsibilities or a child with mental health problems**
b. An adult with drug or alcohol problems who has parenting responsibilities or a child with drug or alcohol problems**
c. A new mother who has a mental health or substance misuse problem and other health factors associated with poor parenting. This could include
mothers who are receiving a Universal Partnership Plus service or participating in a Family Nurse Partnership
d. Adults with parenting responsibilities or children who are nominated by health professionals as having any mental and physical health problems of
equivalent concern to the indicators above. This may include unhealthy behaviours, resulting in problems like obesity, malnutrition or diabetes
*Includes conduct disorders
**The adult or child does not need to be receiving specialist treatment
Outcome(s)
Source
6.1 Parent takes responsibility for managing their family’s health demonstrated using all
or some of the following measures when applicable:

A care plan or self-care strategy in place where there wasn’t one before, to be
maintained for 6 months

All children in the household have received age appropriate vaccinations

Take up of dentist services ( registration with a dentist, with a check-up for each
child or adult in the last 6 months)

Reduction in weight to a healthy level (BMI rating) of one household member who
has been assessed as overweight, obese or underweight, to be maintained for 6
months
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
Team
Luton Youth Offending Service
Interchangeable outcomes

Cessation of smoking in household member, to be maintained for 6 months
6.2 A child or young person is well informed and takes responsibility for their health for 6
months. Measured by a reliable, valid, measurement tool.
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
Team/ Targeted Youth Support
Team
Luton Youth Offending Service
Adolescent or Adult Wellbeing
Scale
Children’s Centres
6.3 Increased feeling of well-being (measured on well-being assessment tool or by
another reliable, valid, measurement tool). Increase to be maintained for 6 months.
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
Team
Luton Access
Luton Youth Offending Service
Adult/Adolescent Wellbeing Scale
6.4 Family member engages positively with drug, alcohol or gambling programme or
support over 3 month period.
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
Team
Drug/alcohol or gambling support
agency
LBC Housing and Community
Living Service
clean, dry, well maintained and is reasonable in comparison to general housing
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
Team
circumstances in the area (suitable accommodation secured/maintained for at least 6
Luton Access
months).
Graded Care Profile
6.5 Securing and or, maintaining suitable accommodation that is; affordable, adequately
Home Conditions Scale
6.6 Family demonstrate reduced social isolation by participation in a positive activity for 8
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015
LBC Prevention and Early
weeks or more e.g. parenting course.
Intervention Service Early Help
Team/ Targeted Youth Support
Team
Children’s Centres
Luton Youth Offending Service
6.7 Concerns regarding the mental health of an adult with parenting responsibilities or a
child with mental health problems are addressed through appropriate referral to statutory
services and individuals are supported to manage their mental health needs
LBC Prevention and Early
Intervention Service Early Help
East London Foundation Trust
TOKKO Young Peoples
Counselling Service
appropriately.
6.8 Young Carers are identified and receive appropriate support.
Chums
EH Team
Stronger Families Outcomes Plan V3 September 2015