A PIONEERING new approach to helping young people at risk of going into care or custody is to be launched in Cheshire.
£250,000 of funding has been confirmed by the Department for Education which will enable a Multisystemic Therapy Service to be established in Cheshire West and Cheshire East.
The intensive approach pioneered in the USA aims to break the cycle of crime and anti-social behaviour by keeping young people at home, in school and out of trouble.
Twenty Multisystemic Therapy Services are being funded by the DfE but Cheshire’s successful bid was unique as it was made by a partnership led by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The partnership consists of Cheshire West and Chester Council, NHS Western Cheshire PCT, Cheshire East Council, Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust, Cheshire Youth Offending Service and the Clinical Commissioning Groups across the Cheshire area.
The service launches in April for 11-17-year-olds who have serious problems with aggressive or criminal behaviour, drug or alcohol problems, truancy and running away from home, as well as behaviours like self harm.
Trained therapists will work with the young person, carers, family, teachers, even neighbours to change behaviour of the young person.
