FtSE Member News: Action For Children calls for the expansion of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care

Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) is an evidence-based programme that involves the care of young people mainly referred through the youth justice systems. 

Action for Children Intensive Fostering services provide MTFC in Wessex and London. It is an alternative to custody that aims to provide the child with: close supervision and consistent limits and consequences for bad behaviour. 

It also aims to minimise association with negative/ offending peer groups and works with family members to improve relationships. 

Intensive Fostering is a community-based sentence but it is not an easy option. 

Outcomes include: 

• reduced offending rates
  
• increased engagement with education and training
  
• improved relationships with family members
  

In March 2012, Action for Children submitted evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) On Women In The Penal System on the issue of girls in custody. Our Service Manager and a young person named Anna, who has experience of Intensive Fostering, presented on their experiences of the programme. 

Based on our experience of delivering MTFC, Action for Children wants to see the programme expanded and consistently seen, and used, as an alternative to custody.

Click here to read Anna's Case Study.

Click here to visit the Fostering For Offenders page on the Action for Children website.