Cash hand-out targets troubled families
2:21pm Tuesday 20th February 2007 in Your Town By Staff Reporter
A Government cash hand-out is helping Bolton to launch a new initiative to help the parents of potential trouble-makers.
The borough has been given £58,000 of Government cash to provide support for parents of young people most at risk of growing up and getting anti-social behavioural orders, offending or playing truant from school.
The money is part of a £7.5 million handout to local authorities. Bolton Council will receive £37,046.91 immediately and an £21,448.21 next year.
The money will be used to develop services - which are still in the planning stage - where parents can get information, help and advice. The council will also focus on providing early intervention in terms of support for parents whose children are identified as potential troublemakers in the future.
The money will complement existing support services available for parents in the borough.
A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We are already doing a lot through children's centres and we provide intensive family support through a number of projects.
"The money will help us to develop a more co-ordinated programme and training for workers."
The money is part of the "Respect Zone" project under which louts are being targeted. Bolton is one of the of 40 local authorities to receive a share of millions of pounds in funding for the scheme which aims to wipe out anti-social behaviour.
