Family Recovery The Westminster Approach

1. Family RecoveryThe Westminster Approach Michael O’Connor Director of Children’s Services (Acting) Westminster City Partnership July 7th 2008

2. Why the council has developed this programme It’s the right thing to do – there is a real need It’s the right time to do it – Govt and WCC Policy It’s the right thing for all of us to do But…  This won’t make it work on its own. Families Recovering needs to involve everyone Each partner has a vital contribution to make….

3. Key Westminster statistics 7.6% residents are unemployed 91 households in Temporary Accommodation 1057 overcrowded households on the transfer list 3000 lone parents 51% have an ethnic background that is other than white British 44% are most worried about drug use 1,426 drug users supported by DAAT, 23% reside in north Westminster 59% of parents with learning disabilities had children removed and 22% have additional mental health needs 600 families at risk, 250 of which are in North

4. These families impact on local services across the board Re-housings of overcrowded tenants in last 2 years into 4 bedroom properties: 3 had extra priority for extreme overcrowding or severe medical factors 2 waited 8 years, 2 waited 6 years, 2 waited 5 years and 2 shortened their wait to 4 yrs by accepting properties outside Westminster