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The Luton Early Help & Advice Hub Stronger Families Programme
(Part of the National Troubled Families Programme)
Eligibility criteria - Phase 2 Expanded Programme
Families can be identified for inclusion in the programme where at least 2 of the following criteria are met:
1. Parents and children involved in crime or anti-social behaviour;
2. Children who have not been attending school regularly;
3. Children who need help;
4. Adults out of work or at risk of financial exclusion and young people at risk of worklessness;
5. Families affected by domestic violence and abuse;
6. Parents and children with a range of health problems;
1. Parents and children involved in crime or anti-social behaviour
For example, this could include households where:
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a child* has committed a proven offence** in the previous 12 months;
an adult or child has received an Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) intervention (or equivalent local measure) in the
last 12 months;
an adult prisoner who is less than 12 months from his / her release date and will have parenting responsibilities
on release;
an adult who is currently subject to licence or supervision in the community following release from prison and has
parenting responsibility;
an adult currently serving a community order or suspended sentence who has parenting responsibility;
adults or children referred by professional because their potential crime problem or offending behaviour is of
equivalent concern to indicators above, including:
o family members with known gang affiliations (nominal)
o number of police callouts to household
o radicalisation or extremism
NB* Under 18 year olds/** A proven offence is one where a formal outcome is given, either in or out of court.
2. Children who have not been attending school regularly
For example, this could include households where:
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a child is persistently absent from school for an average across at least the last three consecutive terms (10%
missed sessions;
a child has received at least 3 fixed term exclusions in the last 3 consecutive school terms;
a child at primary school who has had at least 5 days of fixed term exclusion in the last 3 consecutive school
terms;
a child of any age who has had at least 10 days of fixed term exclusion in the last 3 consecutive school terms;
a child who has been permanently excluded from school in the last 3 consecutive school terms;
a child who is in alternative provision;
a child who is neither registered with a school nor being educated otherwise;
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*.
NB* 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.
For example, this could include households where:
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3. Children who need help
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 (EHA);
A child in need under section 17 of The Children Act 1989;
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;
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Practitioner Resource
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Teenage pregnancy – families where a mother gave birth at the age of 18 or under, in the last 12 months;
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;
A child referred by a professional as having a problem of equivalent concern to the indicators above;
o A child or young person affected by family violence
o A child or young person in receipt of Free School Meals
o 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
o A child or young person affected by parent/carer’s alcohol and substance misuse
4. Adults out of work or at risk of financial exclusion and young people at risk of worklessness
For example, this could include households where:
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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);
A child who is about to leave school, has no/few qualifications and no planned education, training or employment
A young person who is not in education, training or employment (NEET)
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:
o Family has debt or financial problems that impact on their ability to meet basic family needs e.g. food,
clothing, accommodation;
o Families who use Food Banks;
o Rent or council tax arrears with threat of eviction from home;
o Family with a parent or young person at risk of sanctions by the DWP.
5. Families affected by domestic violence and abuse
For example, this could include households where:
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The young person or adult known to local services has experienced, is currently experiencing or is at risk of
experiencing Domestic Violence or abuse (DVA);
A young person or adult who is known to local services as having perpetrated an incident of DVA in the last 12
months;
A household or family member has been subject to a police call out for at least one domestic incident in the last
12 months.
5. Parents and children with a range of health problems
For example, this could include households where:
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An adult with mental health problems* who has parenting responsibilities or a child with mental health
problems**;
An adult with drug or alcohol problems who has parenting responsibilities or a child with drug or alcohol
problems**;
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;
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.
NB. *Includes conduct disorders/** The adult or child does not need to be receiving specialist treatment
If you think a family is eligible for support under the Luton Stronger Families Programme, please complete an Early Help
Assessment and send to: strongerfamiliesteam@luton.gcsx.gov.uk
For further information or advice, please contact us on: 01582 547585
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