IHSS is an intensive home-based support service provided to families where significant child protection issues have been identified and children are at risk of being taken into care.
Families typically present with complex needs, such as abuse, addiction, mental health issues, criminality, poor attachment and poor parenting capacity. The service is usually provided to families for 6-9 months, with the aim of maintaining children and young people safely in the family home or foster care.
Families who participate in IHSS are typically supported by one Lead project worker, who work closely with them throughout their time on the programme.