Innovations - Support that helps parents and children

The Families Learning for Employment Programme (Flep) in Wythenshawe, Manchester, is a pilot project from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). In the past year, Flep has worked with 50 families, helping 22 parents find work and another 16 enter further or higher education. In return, parents agreed to become more involved in their children's education in order to improve their behaviour and results. Manchester City Council plans to expand the Flep project across the city next year, and the DWP is considering rolling the scheme out nationally. The pilot received £101,000 from the European Regional Development Fund and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. Bob Paprosky, headteacher of a local special needs school, was seconded to run the project when it started in March 2005. He answers our panel's questions.