A PROJECT aimed at tackling youth crime and child poverty in York has been given a six-figure boost.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has allocated City of York Council £300,000 to run a scheme which will provide intensive help and support to vulnerable youngsters and their families.

The Family Intervention Project will benefit 36 families across the city, with workers from the authority’s Children’s Trust team visiting them at least three times a week and co-ordinating support from other agencies which offer specialist help and advice.

The youth crime element of the project will focus on eight to 13-year-olds, while the child poverty side is aimed at supporting youths up to the age of 19.

Linda Murphy, parenting strategy manager for York, said: “We know that long-term issues affecting the whole family can have a significant negative impact on children.

“Family Intervention Projects do work. They change lives, helping families to face these long-standing issues which have affected their lives. They will add to the range of support we can give to parents and enable us to bring support to where it is most needed.”

Coun Carol Runciman, Liberal Democrat executive member for children and young people’s services, said the policy of early intervention had proven successful in the past.

She said: “We are committed to making sure help and support is available to families at an early stage to prevent bigger problems arising in the future.

“It is a policy we have been pursuing for some time in York and one that has been incredibly successful.

“The funding from the DCSF will allow the Children’s Trust team to continue their excellent work and will make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people in York.”