ISTAC
TRANSITIONS
Supporting children and young people to return
home
Intensive Systemic Therapy Around the Child (ISTAC) Transitions, by Youth Untroubled, is an adaptation of the original ISTAC model - the evidence-based community treatment programme, developed in accordance with NICE guidelines, to treat antisocial behaviour, chronic conduct disorders, and complex emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and young people.
​ISTAC Transitions is for children and young people who are currently placed outside of the family home - in care, custody or CAMHS inpatient units. With additional components to the original ISTAC model, it is a year-long treatment programme featuring 4 key phases (see below), providing 24/7 support for the whole family and professional network at every step of the child's journey home.
​ISTAC Transitions has been specifically designed to effectively deal with the significant challenges experienced by the child and the wider system when returning home from out-of-home placements, and focuses on addressing the multiple causal and maintaining factors that led to the child being placed outside the family home, to prevent readmission or further placements.
Support children to return to their family homes, and remain at home, thriving
Reduce the length of time children spend in inpatient units, temporary foster placements and secure placements
Address the multiple causal and maintaining factors to children being placed in out-of-home placements
Reduce reliance on professional and statutory services
Equip parents and long-term carers with the skills to support and maintain their child at home, reducing the need for readmission or further out-of-home placements
ISTAC TRANSITIONS AIMS & OBJECTIVES ...
“It’s good to be home …”
ISTAC Transitions therapists provide 24/7 support, working intensively with families and professional networks whilst children and young people are living outside of their homes, as well as during the transition period, and once they have returned home full time. Therapists draw on a range of therapeutic models including CBT, behavioural therapy and family therapy to address the multiple systemic difficulties that have led to a child being in care, hospital or custody.
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The 4 Key Phases​
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1. Preparation for transition, usually 2-3 months
The therapist works intensively with the family, the child, and their short-term carers and professional network. The focus is on helping everyone involved to understand the causal and maintaining factors impacting the child’s difficulties, addressing potential issues to transitioning home and devising and implementing various bespoke interventions to address the problems and prepare the family and wider system for the child’s successful return. Therapists agree discharge plans with all involved to ensure alignment with the clinical approach and timeline.
2. The transition, approx. 1 month
The family is closely supported to try out new approaches to settling and safeguarding the young person, and difficulties are addressed as soon as they arise. Transition plans are continuously reviewed and tweaked as necessary.
3. ​Home - intensive phase, usually 4-5 months
Intensive therapy continues for a further 4/5 months with the family and other key professionals/agencies to permeate and strengthen positive behavioural and emotional shifts and to reduce the family and young person’s reliance on and need for professional/statutory services moving forward.
4. Ongoing support phase, 3-4 months
Less intensive phase, which focuses on dealing with setbacks, sustaining change and helping the family and network prepare for any future difficulties.
ISTAC Transitions: Who's it for?​
ISTAC Transitions is suitable* for children and young people with a range of mental health issues including eating disorders, self harming behaviours, and emerging borderline personality disorder; and complex emotional and behavioural difficulties including high-risk gang involvement, child sexual exploitation, chronic harmful sexual behaviour, and other repeat and serious offending. ISTAC Transitions is also able to work with families where there have been concerns regarding direct child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, mental health difficulties, and parental substance misuse.
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*Please note, we provide comprehensive support regarding suitable referrals and undertake extensive suitability assessments. We work closely with other relevant agencies and may stipulate that a young person and/or family is open to a specific service such as CAMHS or children’s social care, throughout the duration of our involvement.
ISTAC ADAPTATIONS
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Preventing out-of-home placement for children with complex emotional and behavioural difficulties
(Domestic Violence)
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For families recovering from domestic violence related trauma, and family breakdown
(Schools and Colleges)
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Bespoke, comprehensive therapy packages for all education provisions
Want to know more?
We accept referrals from local authorities and healthcare trusts, as well as tripartite funding groups, and can deliver ISTAC Transitions in person or provide a combination of in person and virtual treatment.
If you'd like to discuss a referral or multi-case commission of ISTAC Transitions, or have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.