Government stats show Wandsworth is a top authority when it comes to helping troubled families.

Data by the Department for Communities and Local Government states the council has “turned around” more than 63 per cent of the borough’s most troubled families.

Wandsworth Times:

David Cameron recently praised Wandsworth's work with troubled families 

This makes it the best in London and one of the highest in the country.

595 Wandsworth families have been identified as needing help and support – of which 417 have been turned around by the council’s family recovery project (FRP).

They now have little or no involvement with the police and the criminal justice system, their children are attending school regularly and their health and welfare has improved.

The government defines troubled families as those whose lives may be affected by anything from drink or drug addiction to domestic violence and poverty.

Michele Harris, who heads the Wandsworth FRP and was recently awarded an MBE for her work, said: “We work with families who often have very deep-seated problems and find it difficult to cope or find positive ways out of their situations.

“Our task is to help them address these difficult situations and help them to change their behaviour. The aim is to improve not only their lives and the lives of their children, but also those of their neighbours and the wider community.”