Catching the train home from work last night, my attention was caught by the front page of the free tabloid newspaper the London Paper. Its headline sceamed in large bold letters:
"£2m to go to 30 asbo families."
The story went on to say: "More than £2 million will be spent on London's neighbours-from-hell in a scheme that will teach them how to wash and dress their children. About 30 of the capital's most troublesome families, across seven boroughs, will each benefit from £67,000 of funding - nearly three times the average London salary."
Any unsuspecting member of the public could be forgiven for thinking that the government had decided to reward bad behaviour with cash handouts and free shower gel. Not so.
In fact, the story was referring to government funding for 53 areas (including seven in London) that are piloting intensive family support for around 1,500 families with multiple problems. The idea - which is backed by hard evidence of what works - is that co-ordinated support across these families led by a single professional is more effective (and cheaper) than lots of services working with the same family in isolation.
This London Paper's story is both misleading and irresponsible. But, sadly, it is not uncommon. Is it any wonder that these families are vilified and that social policies aimed at improving their life chances are misunderstood when this is the sort of one-sided coverage they receive?