MORE than 170 families in York and North and East Yorkshire have seen their lives “turned around” through a Government scheme run by councils.

The Troubled Families programme has aimed to get truants and excluded children back into school, cut youth crime and antisocial behaviour, and take adults off benefits and into work.

Figures for its first 15 months show 439 families regarded as the “hardest to help” were identified by North Yorkshire County Council by the end of June, 261 of which have been worked with and 82 of which are classed as being “turned around” through fewer exclusions or school absences, less offending, or employment being found. In York, 19 families have seen their lives improved, with 71 turned around in East Yorkshire.

Coun Tony Hall, the county council’s executive member for children’s services, said: “This success is a tribute to the dedication of our frontline workers and the quality of our staff in continuing to challenge and support families – this is not a nine-to-five job and no two days are the same, so we are very proud of achievements so far.”

City of York Council identified 142 families needing help, working with 128. Its children’s trust unit manager Judy Kent said: “The work has a positive impact on the family, their neighbours and wider community and future generations, breaking what is often a cycle of low achievement, unemployment and antisocial behaviour.”