Council receives much needed funding to further work on family stability

Councillor Kieran Heakin and Gail Hopper, director of children’s services at Rochdale Borough Council

The Government has confirmed that Rochdale Borough Council is one of 18 local authorities who will receive a share of £84m to fund Strengthening Families, Protecting Children schemes.

The funding will help the council further its implementation of the No Wrong Door model, initially developed in North Yorkshire County Council, that is being rolled out in Greater Manchester.

Gail Hopper, director of children’s service at Rochdale Borough Council said; “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid for much needed funding. We are well under way with implementing No Wrong Door as part of a wider Greater Manchester programme and we’re excited to see the positive difference it will make to children, young people and families across the borough.

“Family stability is an area we’re really passionate about in Rochdale and we’ve been innovative in our approach to supporting families at an earlier point through our family services model and our work on relationships; this funding will help considerably in further developing our work.”

No Wrong Door will build on the current Edge of Care Programme that supports many families in helping to avoid older children being placed away from their families, where possible.

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This is really welcome funding. We’ve made great strides already in developing this new approach and our focus is on supporting our families in stability and being the best they can be. Families and young people are telling us that the work we’re doing is helping them and that’s what we want.”