The Director of Children’s Services reported further on a report submitted to Cabinet on the 4^th October 2007.  At that time approval was granted for an application to the Department of Health for grant funding to set up a pilot project, as one of the 6 pilot sites the Department of Health was looking to support. That application was unsuccessful.  Locally, professionals across agencies had remained interested in the potential of Multi-Systemic Therapy as a successful intervention with adolescents who presented with conduct and anti-social difficulties.  Wirral Children & Young People’s Department(CYPD), Youth Offending Service(YOS), Primary Care Trust(PCT) and the Cheshire & Wirral Foundation (NHS) Trust believed this evidenced- based method of intervening with young people (age 11-17yrs) who were at risk of care or custody would make a positive contribution to improving the lives of individual children and their families, reduce anti-social behaviour and make a contribution in reducing high cost placements outside of Wirral. Using funding from the PCT, YOS and CYPD a project plan had been developed that would enable an MST programme to be delivered on Wirral.  The Director therefore sought Cabinet approval for the development of a Multi-Systemic Therapy programme on Wirral.

Resolved - That

(1)  the setting up of an MST Programme be formally approved;

(2)  the report be referred to Employment & Appointments Committee; and

(3)  the bid for funding to the Council’s Efficiency Investment fund be approved.