Review: Social Work with Troubled Families

Edited by Keith Davies

Jessica Kingsley Publishers

ISBN: 978-1-84905-549-9

£22.99

160 pages

This book sets out to explain the current Troubled Families Programme (TFP). It does this well, giving the reader a balanced overview of the TFP in today's society and raises some questions and suggestions posed from current research around the payment-by-results (PBR) requirement. The findings of Family Action demonstrate the PBR assists with an outcomes model using evidence-based practice. However, contributor David Holmes does question the validity of some of the "measures", particularly given that the parameters of the TFP have changed for 2015.

Regardless of the model name or the political support, this type of family intervention has been around since the 19th century, which Keith Davies shares in the opening chapter of his book. We are then provided with further information to show these issues are not exclusive to the UK, but are prevalent internationally where there are issues of extreme poverty and austerity.

Throughout history and in more recent times, the model of intervention has been given various titles which all refer to trouble, troubled and troublesome families. There are some difficulties with this use of terminology as this denotes a negative label to the family, potentially impacting on the capacity to build what is described as a "trusting relationship" between the worker and the family members. Alternative terminology has been families experiencing multiple disadvantages, struggling families, and families enduring multiple and chronic disadvantages. There have also been a number of names for providing intensive support. However, what is consistent is the use of the term "family".

There appears to be a consensus throughout the various cited research within the book of the qualities required of the individual undertaking the work with the family - these being having a strong value base; specific caring/nurturing personality; experience within the field of working with people in a care setting; and workers being strong, assertive, challenging and confident. What is debated is whether this individual should be a social worker or can be a highly skilled alternatively qualified/skilled worker.

The book offers those in a social care setting - working in either statutory or early intervention social work/care - a very good insight into the TFP and a number of previous programmes, recording their effectiveness and successes, although contributor Ray Jones warns the outcomes to be "indicative rather than conclusive" owing to the limited research groups. Jones says this has been "good enough" for politicians, which is evident in the continued government support for TFP.

I will certainly look forward to more longitudinal research to cover the issues raised within this book.

Reviewed by Mandy Nightingale, head of family operations workforce development and principal social worker, Essex County Council

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