SUFFOLK CASE STUDY
Stronger Families in conjunction with FPM and Bridges Outcomes Partnership

At Referral

Young Person, L (15, M) was returning home after a placement with an extended family against the advice of the social care team. L was from a single parent household where four older siblings had been taken into care. History of drug use and the involvement of social care since 2008 and 3 extended periods of child protection plan (CPP). There was constant crisis in the family, referral behaviours of verbal/physical aggression, drug use, absconding, risk/engaging with child sexual exploitation (CSE) and threats of harm to other amongst others.

During FFT

FFT assessed the patterns between L and his mother. After sharing these with them to reduce blame and negative thoughts. L & his mother worked hard to engage with the programme

despite challenges committing to session in the beginning due to their chaotic lifestyle, drug use and literacy problems. In therapy, they spoke ‘for the first time ever’ about their feelings towards each other and the ‘loss of siblings’. L acknowledged that emotions were uncomfortable and made him angry and violent. They focused on communication skills and emotional regulation through the therapy. Their relationship flourished and L became caring and protective of his mother.

As a result

At the end of the intervention, there was no reported aggression from L towards his mum. They cook together each evening, and this is a time where they catch up with each other. L has expressed an interest to join the Army and mum has applied to go to Suffolk College. There were no further reported incidents in the community.

REDBRIDGE CASE STUDY

At Referral 

Young Person, S (16 M) was at risk of sexual exploitation (CSE), victim and perpetrator of sexualised behaviour towards males and females his own age and older, child criminal exploitation (CCE), shop lifting, vehicle theft. There had been various concerns within the family and these risks had put pressure on the relationship between S and his parents when they tried to establish boundaries. 

During FFT 

S continued to attend school on a regular basis and engage with the interventions. The FFT aim was to address attachment and emotional self-regulation through introducing anger and anxiety management skills to strengthen boundaries and sense of safety.

In initial sessions the family expressed some trepidation about engaging in therapy, being concerned it would not hold S’s attention. However, the family committed to participate and attended regularly.  S started to show capacity for self-reflection, this had been doubted by several professionals who had worked with him prior to FFT. 

As a result 

The family have worked very hard and were very committed to the therapy. S recently attended a CIN meeting and gave his views on his own lift, markedly more verbally articulate about things which affect him. S has hopes and ambitions for himself from the future and teachers agree with his ideas.  School has been impressed with the improvement in behaviour and focus in lessons and have shared that he is ready for college in September.