REACH - Intensive support to young people and families

REACH is a multidisciplinary team that provides intensive support to families with multiple complex needs, where there is a significant likelihood of the young person (aged 12 to 18 years) becoming accommodated away from home.

The multidisciplinary approach brings together a range of professional expertise (Children's Services, Education, and NHS Tayside) into one team and allows young people to benefit from a wide range of specialist support in one place. This helps to minimise delays in getting the right help at the right time, and reduces the need for young people and families to be referred to multiple agencies.

We integrate care and outreach support, and provide intensive, co-ordinated and flexible support to young people and their families within their own homes and communities. We also support rehabilitation of young people into their family home and/or community, and aim to provide evidence-based assessment and interventions that support families and young people to:

• develop resilience
• develop problem-solving skills
• reduce risks
• improve overall family functioning
• empower families

REACH operational hours are Monday to Friday from 8am to 10pm, plus Saturday and Sunday from 9.45am to 11pm. There is also a 24-hour on-call service to respond outwith REACH's normal operational hours.

For further information, please contact SCYPFAdminTeam@pkc.gov.uk.

Information for professionals

Roles within the REACH Team

• Teacher
• Youth Worker
• Speech and language
• Senior Social Care Officer (SSCO)
• Social Worker

REACH principles

• Finding a place for each young person to belong in a family or community.
• The young person will always be at the centre of everything we do.
• A consistent core team will support every young person in their individual circumstances.
• Our young people will shape the development and improvement of REACH.
• Genuine collaboration and co-production with partners.
• Robust REACH training and development strategy.
• Fewer referrals, greater understanding of the situation, and aiming to reduce the stigma around being supported.
• We will work in partnership with the young person and the most important people surrounding them.

Why REACH?

• We integrate care and outreach support.
• We provide intensive, co-ordinated and flexible support to young people and their families within their home and/or community.
• We offer support to young people and families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
• Our intervention is informed by the START AV, an evidence-based assessment which is used to plan, monitor and reduce risk whilst identifying vulnerabilities and strengths. 
• All young people are offered a communication screening, assessment and support. 
• A formulation is created around every young person pulling together all relevant assessments and knowledge of a young person. 
• We offer professional consultation; AIM3 assessment and intervention in relation to harmful sexual behaviour. 

Referral process

Who can refer to REACH?

• Allocated Social Worker via discussion at resource panel. 
• Child Protection Duty Team/Police Scotland/Out-of-hours service: unplanned referrals for young people who are not known to social work, require discussion with REACH management. 

What happens next?

Once the referral has been accepted the referrer will be invited to the REACH screening group. This meeting serves as a case transfer and an opportunity for the multidisciplinary team to begin their assessments.

Information for young people and families

REACH support young people aged 12 to 18 years and their families who are going through a difficult time. We will work with you and your family to try to keep your family together. We're here to help whenever you need us - anytime day or night. There might be times when a young person can't stay in their family home. If this happens, we help families to keep in touch with people who are important to them. We can also help young people return home to live with their family, if this is right for them.

What do we do?

• We find a place where you belong.
• You will have your own workers but the whole REACH team are here to help.
• We will work together as a team with the people who are most important to you. 
• You will always be at the centre of everything we do.

Who are we?

• Senior Social Care Officer (SSCO): I will meet you regularly so I can get to know you and to give you my support where it is needed. 
• Social Worker: I can help everyone to work together to make things better for you. 
• Speech and Language: I will be visiting you to see if there is anything we can do to help with your communication. 
• Teacher: we will chat to your school to see if we can help you with your education. 
• Youth Worker: I am here to support you and your worker. I am always happy to chat and share ideas on your future.

What can you expect working with us?

• What do you need?
• Activities you enjoy
• Help with school/college
• Included in decisions
• Support with wellbeing
• Who is important to you?
• Good relationships
• One-to-one with your workers

What will happen next?

• You'll meet your team.
• Your team will spend time with you.
• Your team will get to know you and your family.
• We'll listen to you and your family.
• We'll think about the best ways to support you.
• We'll help you make plans.

REACH will work with you and your family for as long as you need us.