Supporting Families criteria
To qualify as a Supporting Family, families need to meet at least two of the following six criteria.
More information on the criteria can be found in the Operational Supporting Families Local Outcomes Plan 2018 to 2021.
Problems with crime and anti-social behaviour
The family includes at least one of the following:
- a family member who has committed a proven offence in the previous 12 months
- a family member who has received an anti-social behaviour intervention (or equivalent local measure) in the last 12 months
- a parent or young person due to be released from prison in the next 12 months
- a parent subject to licence or supervision in the community, following release from prison
- an adult currently serving a community order or suspended sentence, who has parenting responsibilities
- a family member (as victim or perpetrator) nominated by professionals because of potential risk for crime including gangs, crime exploitation, offensive weapons, radicalisation or anti-social behaviour.
Children who have not been attending school regularly
The family includes at least one of the following:
- a child who is persistently absent from school, an average of more than 10% unauthorised absence across the last three consecutive terms
- a child who has received at least three fixed term exclusions in the past three consecutive school terms
- a child who has been permanently excluded from school in the past three consecutive school terms
- a child who is in alternative provision with behavioural problems
- a child who is neither registered with a school, nor being educated otherwise
- a child nominated by professionals for potential of not receiving a suitable full time education.
Children who need help
The family includes at least one of the following:
- a child who has been assessed as needing early help (including SEND plus social, emotional and mental health needs)
- children ‘in need’ under Section 17, Children Act 1989
- a child who has been subject to an enquiry under Section 47, Children Act 1989
- children subject to a Child Protection Plan
- children at Risk of Exploitation (CRE) (including any reported incidents as missing within last 12 months)
- eligible 2 year olds not taking up a free nursery places
- children with speech, language and communication delays
- children identified by professionals for potential of needing early help or social care intervention.
Adults out of work or at risk of financial exclusion or young people at risk of worklessness
The family includes at least one of the following:
- an adult in receipt of out of work benefits
- an adult who is claiming Universal Credit and subject to work related conditions.
- a child who is about to leave school, has no or few qualifications and no planned education, training or employment.
- a young person who is not in education, training or employment.
- Parents and families referred by professionals as being at significant risk of financial exclusion. This may include; those with problematic or unmanageable levels and forms of debt; those with significant rent arrears or at risk of homelessness or eviction.
Families affected by domestic violence and abuse
The family includes at least one of the following:
- a young person or adult known to local services has having experienced, currently experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic violence or any form of abuse
- a young person or adult who is known to local services as having perpetrated an incident of domestic violence or any form of abuse in the last 12 months
- the household or a family member has been subject to a Police call out for at least one domestic incident in the last 12 months.
Parents and children with a range of health problems
The family includes at least one of the following:
- family members with mental health issues
- family members with a drug or alcohol problem
- vulnerable expectant or new mother at risk of poor parenting
- family members with a poorly managed physical health issue
- family members who are referred 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
- family member requiring addition support as result of child with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).
How do I nominate Supporting Families?
To nominate a family you can contact your Locality Supporting Families Casework Support Officer. Details of what happens when a family is nominated can be found by downloading the Nomination Process. If you are unsure who to contact or need further information, please email supportingfamilies@derby.gov.uk.