A DECISION to possibly axe a well-established scheme for problem families in Burnley and Pendle has come under fire from council bosses.

County council social services chiefs are currently consulting on proposals which could spell the end for the family intervention programme (FIP).

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Dozens of the most disruptive households in the two boroughs have been given assistance – and Burnley was a pilot area when such work was trialled by the former Labour government.

If scrapped the schemes, offered in Burnley by Action for Children and in Pendle by Barnado’s, along with four others in Preston, Chorley and South Ribble, and Wyre, would save £242,000 for the authority.

Instead of the intensive assistance offered by FIP, it is recommended that problem families are tackled by another initiative, Working Together With Families, which offers short or medium term ‘floating’ support.

Coun Mark Townsend, Burnley Council leader, said: “It is disappointing because they have done some good work with some of the most troubled families in Burnley.

“But I understand the county council’s predica-ment because they have difficult choice to make because of government cuts, which are now really starting to bite.”

Julie Whittaker, Pendle Council’s economic and housing regeneration manager, has also outlined her community safety team’s concerns in an executive report.

She said that FIP works ‘positively on a daily basis’ with families, an approach which could not be offered by Working Together With Families with the most ‘difficult to manage’ households.

Once the consultation ends in October, a decision will be made in November and, if approved, the Burnley and Pendle would go next March. Six families are being worked with in Burnley currently, and the same number in Pendle.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman confirmed that the decision was being made to achieve stringent savings targets.

He added: “There are now other services that families can go to in order to get the help they need.

“Anyone who receives support from the FIP service now and continues to need support if the FIP closes in April will be able to receive help either from the county council or another service.”