UK Tourist Visa Followed by SSR ?

No! Provided he moves to a Schengen Treaty country, his wife and family can travel with him. He will need to go through the bureaucratic exercises of obtaining clearance to work and obtain health insurances (and a Maltese NHI number if appropriate), get a job and apply for a Residency Permit (based upon employment) and finally obtain Residency Permits for his wife and accompanying family members. After six months of continuous employment (post RP issue), he can apply to the Embassy/High Commission for a Family Permit. But he will need to prove that the "Centre of Life" for his family is in the chosen Schengen country.

I have no doubt that you're right @Markham, given your experience.