Government Announces £500m to Support UK’s Vulnerable Children and Families.

Delivered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the 10-year, £500 million Better Futures Fund aims to give struggling and vulnerable families and children a better start in life by providing them with the support and funding needed to access a better education, a safe home, and the caring supportive environment they need to flourish.

It is anticipated that around 200,000 children and their families will benefit from the fund over the course of the next decade.

Although details have yet to be released, the Government has indicated that it could fund providing support in schools to improve attendance and behaviour, intervening to free children from a life of crime, and offering employment support to secure their futures. This investment in early support to tackle challenges like school absence, addiction and re-offending will help give children the stability and opportunity they need to thrive.

The announcement is informed by consultation with the Social Impact Investment Advisory Group and other representatives from civil society, purpose-driven business, and local government.

Commenting, Richard Rigby, Head of UK Government Affairs, The King’s Trust said

“At The King’s Trust, we know that timely support can change the course of a young person’s life. Potential is everywhere but opportunity is not. The Better Futures Fund is an investment in the potential of young people who are too often left behind.”

The full press release is available at GOV.UK.

Further details on the fund ‘will be set out in due course’ and will be provided as soon as they are available.