Supporting a Young Person in Crisis
A 13-year-old male was referred to Youth Unity by an Essex Police CYP Officer following concerns about his involvement in anti-social behavior (ASB), domestic violence (DV) towards his mother and younger sister, child criminal exploitation (CCE), and substance misuse. This case highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable families and the critical role of early intervention and consistent support.
The family has been subject to child protection (CP) measures for the third time since 2016, reflecting the ongoing complexity of their circumstances. The young person had been placed on a managed move to another local school, but unfortunately, this placement was unsuccessful, and he has since returned to his original school. At present, there are 48 active investigations related to domestic violence towards his mother and sister.
The young person is also awaiting treatment through CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) following a referral made four months ago. However, he is not expected to be seen for at least another six months, leaving the family to navigate these challenges without sufficient mental health support. The case is currently being handled by a Social Care Multi-Disciplinary Team.
Youth Unity began working with the young person and his family in October, 2024. Since then, we have provided intensive support through a variety of interventions, including:
- 6 Home Visits
- 20+ Calls and messages to Mum
- 1 Box Smart session attended by the entire family
- 1 School-based 1:1 session with the young person
- Attendance at 3 Social Care meetings
The impact of this support has been evident. During a Core Group Meeting, the young person’s mother expressed her gratitude, saying: “I really appreciate your [Youth Unity’s] support and all you are trying to do for us.”
Similarly, the young person has responded positively to the engagement, stating to his CYP Officer and Senior Social Worker: “I like Paul and want to work with him. I’d really like to go fishing with him and my Mum.”
This case demonstrates the importance of providing holistic and consistent support for families in crisis. Through regular engagement, tailored interventions, and collaboration with other agencies, Youth Unity continues to work towards creating a pathway for this young person and his family to move forward in a positive and sustainable way.
