Stronger Families

The Welsh Assembly Government proposes to use new powers to reform the law so that local authorities and the NHS would be required to provide Integrated Family Support Services (IFSS) for vulnerable families.

Proposals would impact on agencies in both adult and children’s services.  The proposals focus on making services more suitable for the whole family. They also cater for the complex needs of families where there is concern for the child’s welfare and the following issues impair parenting capacity:

• parental substance misuse;
• mental health problems or mental illness;
• learning disabilities; and
• domestic abuse.

These proposals draw on many strands of evidence including a literature review of the impact of care on children’s welfare and an in-depth evaluation of Option 2 (an Intensive Family Preservation programme operating in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan). They will be a key component of a Welsh Assembly Government Strategy for Vulnerable Children that will be issued for consultation early next year.