The Dundee Families Project is highlighted in the consultation paper Tackling Anti-Social Tenants, issued by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, which proposes to introduce new preventive measures based on Dundee's lead.
The project, which is run by NCH Scotland, is targeted at families with children and is described in the Government report as 'the most comprehensive project currently tackling rehabilitation'. It arose from concern within Dundee City Council that evicting families for anti-social behaviour just moved the problem on elsewhere and had a negative impact on the children, often forcing them to 'live out of a suitcase'.
The project works with families to examine and change behaviour patterns that are causing problems, which include children out of control, excessive noise, and alcohol and drug misuse. The families have to make a commitment to change and most of them see it as their 'last chance'.
The project has a residential unit, 12 dispersed flats throughout Dundee, and an outreach service in which families receive different degrees of support including classes in parenting skills , child development, anger management, alcohol and drugs counselling and domestic budgeting. It has been found to help families avoid being evicted and having the children taken into care, while at the same time reducing the number of disputes with neighbours.
At least one local authority in England is currently establishing a replica of the Dundee project. Project manager Gill Strachan said, 'Our experience is that anti-social behaviour is generational and our main objective is to stop the cycle and try to support parents as much as possible to make sure the anti-social behaviour will end with the children.
'We encourage parents to make use of services available, including playgroups and nurseries, parenting skills, and how to love and care for their children, and to help them develop into similarly-minded adults who will respect others.' It is hoped that it will improve children's educational prospects by helping them to function in group settings and encouraging their parents to get involved in their schoolwork.
Christopher Holmes, director of NCH Scotland, said, 'In the vast majority of cases, the families exhibiting anti-social behaviour lead such disorganised lives that they do not know how to prevent the problem spiralling out of control.
'We become involved because of concern about the welfare of the children of such families, recognising that we all have a responsibility for children. The Dundee Families Project, run in partnership with Dundee City Council, has shown that there are steps that can be taken to help them regain control over their lives to enable them to live peacefully with their neighbours.
'This has to be the way forward in dealing with this complex problem. Eviction is not the answer - it only moves the problem on and causes severe problems for the children involved. They need stability and security, which is why the underlying problems have to be addressed if a solution is to be found to this problem.'