The Mental Health Needs of Looked after Children: An Integrated Multi-Agency Model of Care

Abstract

The mental health needs of looked after children are reviewed and the challenges involved with developing accessible mental health services are discussed. This article describes a multi-agency approach to the delivery of mental health services and focuses on the development, operation and evaluation of a Tier 4 multi-agency team; The Behaviour Resource Service (BRS). The BRS community and residential teams provide an intensive service to children and young people identified as having the most complex needs. Approximately 50% of the service users are looked after children. The needs-led model of multi-agency assessment, intervention and collaborative working is described with attention to the role of the BRS within the professional network. Particular issues pertinent to multi-agency work with looked after children are considered.