Supernanny Residence School

This is an interesting article from The Sunday Times (UK). It seems there is state funded residence program for families on the brink of breakdown. From the article:

Offering intense 24-hour support from trained social workers, the [Dundee Families Project] has won international praise. It represents a last chance for families showing the worst symptoms of dysfunctional parenting, substance abuse or antisocial behaviour. In fact, the regime bears comparison with the television show Supernanny, in which a trained childminder gives advice to hapless parents.

My libertarian tendencies aside, this seems like a worthwhile investment by government. Too often problems within the home are left unaddressed until it’s too late. Face it: The time for action is not when you’re fourteen year old is on The Jerry Springer Show. It’s ten years earlier. I particularly like the community aspect. As for cost? Well, let’s return to the article:

More than 150 families have been through the project since it opened its doors a decade ago — although only 20 stayed in the close proximity residential block. The scheme costs £350,000 a year, and an average of £20,000 to £30,000 is spent on an individual family, although for long-term stays the cost could be significantly higher.

But Hill’s research suggested that if it did not exist, there would be costs of £462,000 a year in legal bills to evict tenants, and to take children into care. His report estimated there was a saving to the local authority of £112,000 a year.

As the saying goes: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.“