A POT OF £4million is to pay for parenting help for 900 county families.
Troubled families will have £4,500 splashed out on them to help them get their kids to school and to get parents to the Job Centre on time.
County council bosses say it is 'fantastic' that families suffering as a result of poor parenting, health problems and domestic violence – or where kids face going into care – will be given a helping hand.
It is part of the Government's £200million Troubled Families programme, which is already helping 300 families in the county.
Councillor Paul McLain, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "It is fantastic news and this is testament to the early successes that councils like ours have already had.
"We are very proud of the encouraging results we're achieving in turning around some of our most vulnerable families and this additional investment will allow us to get them off the conveyer belt to crisis. It's not only less expensive in the long term to help people before they reach crisis point, it's the most effective way of giving vulnerable children a better life."
But Robert Oxley, from the Taxpayers' Alliance, warned: "There are a small number of families who are disproportionately reliant on taxpayers.
"A scheme which could save money should be welcomed but it should only reward people who are seeking to address their issues."
The initial cost of £4,500 per household will pay for a council worker who will work with the entire family. They will, for example, get kids to school on time and get their parents to important appointments.
The scheme is 60 per cent paid for by the county council and the groups it is working with, while 40 per cent will be funded by the Government – but only when they can see proven results.
Ashley Green, chief executive of Gloucester City Homes, which is part of the project, said: "We are delighted to be part of a programme where we are able to ensure that troubled families have direct support to ensure that they contribute better as members of society and there are savings to the public purse."
