Safe Families for Children - Lesley Smith

Established in the UK by Durham-based philanthropist Sir Peter Vardy in 2012, the Safe Families model originated in Chicago where it began in 2003, the idea of a child psychologist called Dr David Anderson.

Safe Families for Children has proven highly effective in stabilising families at times of crisis, preventing child neglect and abuse, and has contributed to reductions of up to 50% in the numbers of children entering the foster care system in some American states. Safe Families is now operational in 65 cities across 35 states and over 28,000 children in the USA have benefitted from the intervention.

Going ‘live’ in April 2013 with a North East pilot, Safe Families has now spread across the UK to the North West, the Midlands, the South and South West, Scotland and Wales. Safe Families partners with local authorities to give children and families better outcomes.

Many local authorities are already seeing a reduction in the flow of children into care as a result of Safe Families early intervention. In the UK Safe Families has provided over 4000 respite bed nights to children, with thousands of children benefitting from support.

For further information, see their Website