Early Help

Early Help Targeted Support

Family Intervention Team (FIT)

Is a Level 3 targeted Early Help support team offering intervention to families with children in the 0-19 age range. FIT uses a whole family approach involving everyone in the family network who wants to be involved. FIT aims to reduce the need for statutory intervention, improve better outcomes and ensure all children and young people thrive, but also to identify those families where change and improvement are more difficult to achieve and sustain.

Information on the Family Intervention Team service.

Links

Is Devon’s new targeted Level 3 specialist service, which will work to increase safety and reduce risk and harm to children, young people, and some young adults outside of the home. Links can work with children and young people from the age of 10, as well as young adults 18-25 who are care experienced.

Links brings together the expertise of staff within the Youth Intervention Team (crime prevention) and the REACH team (missing children and exploitation) to form an offer of intervention and support to children and young people who may have gone missing from home (any form of home), at risk of being exploited, are involved in increasing anti-social behaviour (ASB) and offending.

If, from discussion with the family you are supporting, you agree that Level 3 targeted Early Help support from either FIT or Links is required, please complete a Request for Support form.

Family Group Conference service

The team will continue to offer a restorative family group conference (FGC) approach that puts extended family and friends’ networks at the centre of planning for their children. FGCs are available to children in Devon at all stages of their social care journey. They are available to children receiving support through Targeted Early Help, Child in Need and Child Protection.

To explore family networks, restorative practice, and FGC please refer to the Family Network Handbook

Devon Youth Justice Service

What is the service?

Devon Youth Justice Services(DYJS) is a multi-agency team that work with children and young adults aged 10–18 (and their families/carers) who have committed an offence or are at risk of committing offences. Devon Youth Justice Service is part of the local authority and operate under statutory duties set out in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

What does it offer?

DYJS offers a range of services including:

  • Assessment and supervision of children involved in the criminal justice system
  • Interventions to reduce the chances of reoffending and promote positive behaviour through the development of positive identity
  • Support with education, training, and employment
  • Access to health, substance misuse, and mental health services
  • Restorative justice opportunities for victims and children
  • Support for families/carers and communities

How does it support people?

DYJS supports children and young adults by:

  • Seeing all children as children, to treat them fairly and to help them to build on their strengths so they can make a positive contribution to society
  • Addressing underlying needs of children such as addressing trauma, mental health, exploitation or other adverse childhood experiences
  • Encouraging positive relationships and community engagement
  • Working with families to build resilience and stability
  • Providing tailored plans that promote rehabilitation and reduce concerns of further offences and the safety and wellbeing of the children themselves but also potential future victims.
  • Helping the children develop their understanding the consequences of their actions
  • Supports hearing the voices and offering of support to those impacted upon by the offences committed.

Who do they work with?

DYJS works in partnership with:

  • Police
  • Courts and the Crown Prosecution Service
  • Children’s Social Care
  • Education providers
  • Health services (including CAMHS)
  • Probation and adult services
  • Voluntary and community organisations
  • Children themselves, to understand their voice in how services should be shaped to meet their needs.

What does the service aim to achieve?

The main aims of the Devon Youth Justice Service are to:

  • Keep children safe, to keep other people safe and to repair the harm caused to victims, making Devon a safer place for all.
  • Prevent offending and reoffending
  • Promote child-first, trauma-informed practice
  • Support young people to make positive life choices
  • Ensure the voice of the child and family is central to planning
  • Ensure that everyone is treated fairly and to promote equality of opportunity

 

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person in Devon, please make a request for support or report a child safety concern.

 

In an emergency call 999.


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