What we do
What we do
The Family Route Service is participating in the 1st UK trial of Multidimensional Family Therapy, MDFT, which provides family therapy to support positive outcomes for young people aged 13-17.
A two-year clinical trial in the UK will evaluate Multidimensional Family Therapy, MDFT, to support young people facing challenges related to substance misuse and offending behaviour. The purpose of the trial is to assess whether MDFT can effectively reduce substance and alcohol use, as well as criminal behaviour among young people.
MDFT was developed in the United States, and more information is available at https://www.mdft.org/what-is-mdft
The therapy is typically delivered over a period of four to six months and involves individual sessions for the young person and their parent/carer, as well as family therapy sessions where the adults in their lives support the young people in creating sustained change.
The therapy aims to support the young person in developing new opportunities in the community and to be better understood at school and within their support networks.
A referral form is available for consideration for the service and participation in the clinical trial. Young people will need to provide consent to participate in the clinical trial to receive the service.
For more information on the clinical trial, visit https://research.kent.ac.uk/multidimensional-family-therapy/
We can help with
- We support children and young people when an adult close to them, or they themselves, use substances in a way that becomes problematic, harmful, or dependent. We offer them advice and information on the impact of high risk behaviours, such as drug or alcohol misuse, violence and domestic abuse. We also provide access to intervention and treatment services, along with one-to-one and peer support.
- Find out more about Substance misuse
- Search for Substance misuse services
- Our work in this areas aims to reduce the risk of children and young people offending and engaging in anti-social behaviour. We offer one-to-one intensive support, mentoring, diversionary and preventative activities and provide advice to support them to make positive choices so they and their families can feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.
- Search for Youth justice services