OUR STORY
The Youth Untroubled team initially developed the ISTAC model (also known as Systemic Integrative Treatment) in 2017, whilst working at the Brandon Centre, London. Drawing on the team’s extensive experience of providing Multi-systemic TherapyⓇ (MST) and other therapeutic models in various community and inpatient settings, ISTAC was developed in accordance with NICE guidelines to better meet the needs of children and families with complex and multiple problems and ultimately reduce out-of-home placements for children on the edge of care or other out-of-home placement.
In 2017, our founder, Natasha Gold led on development and later manualised the model, whilst our co-directors Una O'Brien and Carly MacDonald led the clinical teams at the Brandon Centre. The Youth Untroubled team’s skills, expertise and passion for helping the most complex families to overcome significant challenges and truly thrive, and our shared desire to further develop the model and facilitate a national rollout, drove us. So, in 2023, Youth Untroubled Ltd was born.
Since launching Youth Untroubled, we have devised various adaptations of the ISTAC model, including brief interventions such as 1:1 parenting workshops and consultations. The Youth Untroubled team currently provides ISTAC and ISTAC Transitions across London, the South of England and the Midlands, and ISTAC Schools and Colleges (SAC) in West Sussex. We are in the process of facilitating a national roll-out of all ISTAC adaptations. The team also provides brief parenting support services and interventions, and specialist consultation and training for other professionals.
We believe it’s time to give ALL families the skills and opportunity to create loving, stable, and safe environments where children can thrive.
The Journey So Far ...
Mission Statement
Youth Untroubled was set up to facilitate a National roll-out of the ISTAC model, across Health, Education and Social Care. We aim for ISTAC to be accessible to ALL children facing care, custody or inpatient admission, and their families. In helping ALL children to reach their full potential we continue to play our part in working towards social justice and building a more equitable world.
We are committed to continually increasing our awareness of the complexities of diversity and inclusion within the field. Our mission is to build a workforce as diverse as the families we serve, establishing a culture of belonging and harnessing the true potential of parents to achieve our purpose.
Our vision is wider system reform which directly and effectively addresses the modifiable contributors to the financial burden on our health & social care system. With a full appreciation of the profound and far reaching implications of reducing childhood adversity and keeping families together, we are here for everyone involved in caring for children.... for parents, carers, families, friends, and professionals. For you.