This programme has been established to work intensively on an individual basis with young people who are in the community or the care system and whose behaviour is very challenging, posing a risk to themselves or others. Their behaviour can be complex and may be characterised by offending, frequent absconding, involvement in verbal and physical assaults and involvement in risky behaviour.

The Janus Programme provides individually tailored support to these young people at risk of reception in to care and placement breakdown in order to prevent their entry into secure accommodation or development of an offending career path. Programme content is needs based and will consist of a combination of the following sessions:
Activity, Special Interest, Individual Work, Day Trips, Residential Overnights, Group Work

Group work normally only occurs toward the end of programme if and when a young person reaches the stage of being able to manage in small numbers with other young people. The young person's voluntary participation is required on the programme.

Referral Criteria:

Young people in the age range 10 - 17 years inclusive who have been referred by social services and assessed as demonstrating high levels of needs and meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Young people living in the community who areassessed by social services as being at high risk of being received into care/ custody and whose needs cannot be met in a group setting e.g. Youth Support.
• Young people who are in care and are in danger of or already involved in “high risk”/ offending behaviour.
• Young people already in a care placement who, due to their behaviour, may be at risk of being placed in more secure accommodation.
• Young people returning to the community from a 'care' placement who require support in this transition period.
• Young people who are currently using the Out of Hours Service who can be supported in hostels for a limited time (maximum 6 months) while an alternative placement is sought by the Social Work Department.
• Hardiker levels 3 and 4.

The objectives of the service are:

To be needs led, creative, flexible and have a responsive approach, which includes evenings and weekend contact.
To have a community based approach
To have the young persons voluntary participation on the programme
To support young people within home/ care placement and minimise placement breakdown/homelessness
To support young people within their own communities
To improve young peoples social and personal functioning
To decrease incidents of problem behaviour
To assist with the development of positive peer networks
To develop independent living skills
To support educational or vocational improvement
To provide transition support during placement/ educational moves
To work in partnership with other community services in meeting the young peoples needs.
To work with parents/ carers to strengthen relationships with the young person.

Programme Content