Linden Services for Children became operational in March 2001 and provide services in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.

Linden Services offers a holistic approach to working with children and young people with challenging behaviour and their families. This includes:

• Placement at the Linden Residential Unit which is based in Newtownabbey can accommodate a maximum of six young people at any time.
• Intensive therapeutic one-to-one and group work sessions from the Residential Social Workers, which target identified goals;
• A Teacher on-site and provision of outreach support in schools;
• Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) with families of young people on placement at the Linden Unit or for families where the children remain living in the community;
• Breakaway Service - 3-day residential programme in one of Extern's Youth Villages
• Youth Support Service - Community based programme
• Social and Life Skills for those moving onto semi-independent or independent living;

Referral Criteria:

• The age range of the young people admitted to the Linden Unit is 12-17 years old and the maximum time that young people attend the Linden Unit is 12 weeks.
• The family must agree to participate in the MST treatment programme as the focus is on the systems around the young person and, in particular, with the family/carers.
• They must reside within a specific geographic location.
• The young people must fall within Hardiker levels 3 and 4.

The objectives of the service are:

• Provide intensive support based on structured programmes designed to reduce offending behaviour or potential for offending behaviour and help young people (aged 12-17 years old) to gain control;
• Support the reintegration of young people to their family and community networks;
• Increase social and life skills and educational competence so that young people remain within their own communities.
• The major goal of MST is to empower parents/carers with the skills and resources needed to independently address the difficulties that arise in raising teenagers and to empower youth to cope with family, peer, school and neighbourhood problems.
• MST seeks to improve parental discipline practices, increase family affection, improve family-community relations and empower the family to solve future difficulties.

Programme Content:

Linden services comprises of a range of component services.

Linden Residential Unit can accommodate a maximum of six young people at any time; and generally runs at an occupancy level of five young people. Linden Unit
staff complete a comprehensive assessment procedure with all young people allocated to Linden Services/for Children.

A teacher is employed as a member of the Linden Services team. Benefits for the young people taught in the classroom include the opportunity to develop a positive relationship with a teacher. This continuity is maintained through outreach work in the schools where the Linden teacher negotiates issues between the young person and their school, working closely with the MST team.

MST is a 24/7 service to young people and their families. Interventions include:

• Family Therapy
• Behaviour parent training
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapies
• Improving school performance
• Increased associating with the young person's pro-social peer-group.

The aim of the Life and Social Skills programme is to provide young people with the basic skills, knowledge and practical experience to be able to set up their own home feeling confident about being able to manage general household tasks and cater for themselves.

Breakaway is person centred; the young person is encouraged to focus on their thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences; recognising that the young person has the power to make changes. Participation in all aspects of Breakaway is voluntary; no pressure is exerted as generally the young people are in need of a break from other stressful or difficult situations.

Working Hours:
The residential unit, MST and breakaway services provide a 24/7 service. The education service is provided during normal school hours.