Family intervention projects

Up to 1,000 young people will be signed up to behaviour contracts in an expansion of the government's family intervention project schemes outlined today.

Schools secretary Ed Balls revealed the £218 million boost today as he launched the youth taskforce action plan.

Those who break the behaviour contracts will be given a criminal record and receive an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo).

But the government hopes the interim measure, with its mandatory courses of treatment provided by an "assertive and persistent" care worker, will make a difference to many of Britain's most troubled youths.

At present family intervention projects are used to stop the antisocial behaviour of a "small number of highly problematic families", according to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The scheme involves addressing both the causes of the behaviour and enforcement of measures "to provide them with the incentives to change".

Its link with Asbos and the new "baby Asbos" described today raise questions about whether the government is doing enough to allay concerns about crime in Britain.

There will also be debate on whether family intervention projects are the best way to tackle problems in Britain's most deprived areas - and on whether the focus should be on crime prevention or enforcement across the UK.

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