Problem families sent on parenting courses

7:14pm Sunday 23rd March 2008

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By Peter Magill »

PROBLEM families in Burnley are being tackled head on, a community conference at Turf Moor will be told.

More than 100 families across the town have been targeted as part of activities under the town's Respect banner - a Whitehall initiative designed to curb the influence of anti-social neighbours.

One-on-one counselling has been given to 60 families, under the Respect scheme, over the past year.

And another 100 families in Burnley have been sent on parenting courses and workshops and the services of a family support worker have been offered to 45 households in the borough.

For those requiring greater assistance, an intensive intervention project has focused its efforts on 12 troublesome Burnley families.

The results of the Respect campaign will be highlighted at an event, entitled Supporting Families, at Burnley FC's Turf Moor ground, this Friday (Mar 28).

Officials from Burnley MAPS - the multi-agency problem-solving team - will be on hand to explain their role in greater detail from 10am to 2pm.

Guest speaker Dr Kate Rhee, a clinical psychologist and manager of East Lancs Psychological Services for children, young people and families, will also offer taster sessions on parenting programmes.

Coun Margaret Lishman, Burnley council's community safety executive member, said: "The work done by the MAPS team in supporting families and reducing anti-social behaviour has been crucial in the continued efforts to improve the quality of life in Burnley for its residents.

"Both projects have involved close partner working with the youth offending team, police, Burnley council, Calico and many more organisations borough-wide."

Burnley is one of 44 Respect action areas designated by the Government, resulting in the council receiving extra support to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Work in Burnley over the past year has concentrated on introducing anti-social behaviour orders, acceptable behaviour contracts for yobs and closure orders, to shut down properties suspected of being used as drugs dens.