ADDITIONAL support for the borough’s vulnerable families will soon be available, thanks to funding secured by the council from the Department for Education’s (DfE) Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme.

A grant of £11.6 million in total has been awarded to Bracknell Forest Council jointly with four other local authorities; Hertfordshire County Council, Luton Borough Council, Peterborough City Council, and West Berkshire Council.

The Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme supports the development, testing and sharing of effective ways to support children who need help from children’s social care services. In each local authority, the funding will be used to implement Hertfordshire County Council’s successful family safeguarding model, which achieved a 49 per cent reduction in the number of children with child protection plans.

The funding will broaden the range of professionals available to provide a holistic, family-centred approach to social care. Adult and children’s social care teams will work together to deliver the right support for a family more quickly, therefore possibly reducing the need for more serious interventions.

Cllr Gareth Barnard, executive member for children, young people and learning, said: “We are committed to improving the lives of all children and families in the borough and I am delighted the DfE has recognised this by awarding the council this grant.

“Alongside other authorities, Bracknell Forest Council has supported Hertfordshire County Council throughout its journey to set up the Family Safeguarding model. We have watched with interest the developments in Hertfordshire and the results have been encouraging.

“This funding will allow us to implement a similar model in Bracknell Forest, strengthening our approach to social care. It will allow us to create holistic support plans for the borough’s children and families, ensuring we continue to give every child the best possible start to life.”

To find out more about the Department for Education’s (DfE) Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme visit www.springconsortium.com