Effectiveness

Family Action  

A well-executed takeover

In June 2006 Family Service Units (FSU), a family support charity, went into administration. Rather than see FSU services close, and in order to strengthen its own, Family Welfare Association took over FSU services in England, a process which culminated in it rebranding as Family Action in September 2008.

Although taking over FSU services was not strategically planned for, when the chance arose Family Action seized it since it would allow it to dramatically expand the reach of its work, making it the largest charity in the UK dedicated to working with whole families.

The takeover carried a financial risk and needed to happen against a tight timescale. Complex negotiations with the administrators and with staff  had to take place. Dealing with the TUPE situation was a particularly big challenge.

Nearly three years on from the takeover Family Action is proud of the fact that it has managed to keep all of the FSU services it inherited in operation and all the statutory funders continue to support the services. It has continued to open more services and its budget has increased from £17.5m at the time of the merger to an expected £23m in 2009-10. Of the 127 FSU staff who were working at the time, the vast majority have chosen to stay with Family Action. The takeover has led to cost savings. Quality of services has improved as a result and they are more widespread and accessible.

The judges were impressed with a well planned and successful takeover initiative and Maddy Ryle, Family Action’s media and campaigns manager, says: “We operate at a more cost-effective size and have become a stronger voice for families.”

Maddy Ryle
Media & campaigns manager
501-505 Kingsland Rd
London E8 4AU
020 7254 6251
www.family-action.org.uk
Reg no. 264713