ONE in three families identified as needing help across Dorset lives in Weymouth and Portland.

A report to be presented to councillors spells out inequalities across the county, with people living in poorer parts of Dorset living on average six years less than those in more affluent areas.

Some parts of the county rank in the most deprived 20 per cent of the UK, including Melcombe Regis in Weymouth and some parts of Somerford and Bridport.

A project set up in 2012 to work with families facing issues such as unemployment, crime and anti-social behaviour and poor school attendance has identified 684 families across Dorset. Of these, 200 – 29.2 per cent – live in Weymouth and Portland.

Just over 20 per cent – 145 families – live in West Dorset while 12.2 per cent, or 83 families, live in Purbeck.

In order to be eligible for the project, families must be facing at least two of the criteria, which are parents or children being involved in crime or anti-social behaviour, children who have not been attending school regularly, children who are classed as ‘in need’ or on the child protection register, adults who are out of work, young people at risk of worklessness, families affected by domestic violence and abuse and parents or children who have a physical or mental health condition.

Cllr Mike Byatt, who represents Weymouth on the county council, called for agencies to ensure there is prioritisation to improve outcomes for struggling families.

He added: “The evidence has shown for some time now that there are significant problems in certain parts of Weymouth.

“There are families that need help, particularly in relation to health, the wellbeing of children and education performance.”

The project, Dorset Families Matter, is now in its second phase which runs until March 2020.

Organisations supporting the initiative include Dorset Police, NHS Dorset, the district and borough councils, housing associations, probation and a number of voluntary services.

It is hosted by Dorset County Council’s children’s services and a report will be discussed by the county council’s health and wellbeing board at County Hall in Dorchester on Wednesday, November 11.

The report stated that the difference in life expectancy for women between richer and poorer parts of Dorset is 5.5 years, and 6.5 years for men.

People living in poorer areas face inequalities in opportunity, for instance education, income, employment and housing, and inequality in access to health services.

The report adds: “The other key factors within the model that predicated the inequality of life expectancy were overcrowding, binge drinking and particularly within DCC, the health deprivation and disabilities index, which includes rates of people in receipt of health related benefits, rates of anxiety and depression in an area.”

The project aims to help families in a cost-efficient way, and the report states that for every pound on delivering Dorset Families Matter, public services in Dorset saves £3.99.

Dave Burchill, of the Waterside Weymouth Community Forum in the Park District, said that while problems are caused by a number of issues the ‘single biggest driving factor’ is the lack of housing.

“We've known this for 10 years, and there've been countless meetings, projects, funding streams, but it has not made a difference.

“There is a lack of housing and people are put in houses of multiple occupancy and left there, with no support. I’ve spoken to people who have said that at least in prison they have warmth, food and someone to talk to.”