The Targeted Family Support (TFS) service was established in 2003, as part of the Specialist Services division within the Children Young People & Families directorate.

Its aim is to reduce the number of young people within the ‘looked after’ system.

The team has built upon and strengthened its expertise in working with the most vulnerable young people and families across the city.

There are three TFS teams: based in the North / East, Heart and South of Birmingham areas; each team meeting the specific needs of its geographical area.

Recognised in the recent Joint Area Review (October 2006) as a valued and effective service it has a proven track record of enabling and supporting young people to remain safely at home. The Review however recognised that there is a gap in preventative family support services for young people and their families who do not yet meet the criteria for Specialist Services.

During 2006 the TFS team conducted a pilot project working closely with several extended school clusters. TFS has delivered an intensive family support service and group work programmes aimed at vulnerable young people and their families whose needs have been complex (Level 3 need).

To date, TFS has successfully provided services for over 50 young people and their families with positive outcomes at both home and school. Schools have welcomed the support offered and TFS has valued the multi agency approach in improving outcomes for these young people.

Due to the success of this initiative the service is expanding its remit citywide and is available for all schools to purchase. Initial packages of support are subsidised by Inclusion Services and can be negotiated to meet the needs of local areas and levels of service required.