ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Outcomes are reported for an assertive outreach team for adolescents that combines flexible service delivery (e.g. outreach) and broad-ranging interventions. METHOD: A retrospective evaluation over a 2-year period from 30 June 2006 to 30 June 2008 examined rates of hospitalisation, engagement with education and scores on the Child Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). RESULTS: The sample showed statistically significant decreases in hospitalisation rates (from 47% to 17%) and increases in engagement with education (full-time attendance from 23% to 56%). There was a mean increase of 7.4 points on the CGAS. CONCLUSION: An intensive, flexible and broad-ranging approach can be applied to adolescents who display at-risk behaviours and/or have high risk factors for poor long-term outcome.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to describe the Adolescent Intensive Management (AIM) team at the Austin Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), a unique model of intensive outreach service with high-risk and difficult-to-engage adolescents, and describe the profile of clients referred to it. METHOD: This study used a retrospective review of clients' data, collected through file audit, over a 12-month period. RESULTS: The result of the study showed that a 100% retention rate of adolescents with complex social, emotional and mental health needs is possible in a flexible and multi-system approach to service provision. CONCLUSION: Clients referred to the CAMHS' AIM team displayed a pattern of multiple risk factors and comorbidities. Low caseload of 8-10 clients per clinician allowed flexibility and a level of intensity to make any necessary changes in service provision to better suit the client's needs. The majority of clients showed improvement in functioning following intervention by the team.
