Ministers have decided that 75% of DWP ESF 2011-2013, over £200 million, should fund family oriented provision for people in workless households. See below for all programmes under the Government's Families Agenda. The provision will be procured from DWP Framework Providers.

TSEN has asked most of the framework providers whether they will be bidding for the ESF & Workless families Programme. See the full list of prospective framework providers and contact details for those looking for partnership or subcontracting opportunities.

The majority indicate that they are waiting for the specification to be released before making a firm decision. We will update who is bidding (and where) as this information becomes available.

The Programme intends to move family members closer to the labour market so that they can enter employment or take advantage of employment focussed support such as the Work Programme. Families must have at least one member on out of work benefits, have a history of worklessness and be in a problematic area.

Local Authorities will be the primary route through which families will be identified. In many cases LAs will already be interacting with these families through local services. Provision must complement and align with, but must not duplicate existing LA provision. It is expected that Primes will work with LAs to explore local opportunities and to ensure that proposals are appropriate.

For more information see the DWP Call for evidence and presentations from LVSTC's event on ESF & Workless families

Families with multiple problems are a government priority - the Prime Minister has committed to 'turn round every troubled family in the country by 2015'. Across Government three types of provision have been introduced:

• Community Budgets: strands of central government funding pooled in 16 trial areas for tackling social problems around families with complex needs. Rolled out nationally 2013-14. See the DCLG website for more information.
• Working families everywhere: Led by Emma Harrison, chair of A4e the pilots projects in Blackpool, Hull and Westminster will involve the hire of 'Family Champions' to support families into meaningful employment. See the A4e website for more information.

• European Social Fund & Workless families