Improving Futures

This programme is now closed for applications.

Use the Funding Finder to search for open funding programmes that your project may be eligible to apply for. 

Every child deserves the best start in life, but we know that some grow up in difficult circumstances. Some families experience multiple and complex problems – for example, to do with poor health, unemployment, debt or housing problems – which can affect their children’s well-being and life chances.

The Improving Futures programme aims to improve outcomes for children within these families.
Following extensive consultation with public and voluntary sector organisations, we decided to fund partnerships that could offer joined-up support for families with multiple and complex problems at a local level. Interested parties had to be aware of the following:

• Partnerships had to be led by voluntary sector organisations but will need to be supported by or include local authorities in Wales and England, Community Planning Partnerships in Scotland, and Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.
• Because every family is different, partnerships had to be able to draw on a broad range of expertise and services to meet their needs, including setting out to help those families considered ‘hardest to reach’.
• Limited funding was available to support up to 20 partnerships across the UK, and no more than one expression of interest could be made per local authority area.

Details of the 26 projects that received funding.