Nu Start provides rapid crisis intervention for children and young people at times of heightened risk, instability or placement breakdown. Our service is designed to stabilise situations quickly, reduce escalation and create the space needed for safe assessment, planning and decision-making.

We work alongside Local Authorities, partner agencies and existing placements to deliver calm, structured and proportionate intervention, ensuring safeguarding remains central while supporting sustainable next steps.

The service is designed to stabilise situations, reduce escalation and create space for assessment and planning when a child or young person is in crisis. Interventions can be planned or delivered at short notice, subject to availability, and are time-limited, purposeful and outcome-focused.

Crisis Intervention may be delivered through our regulated Children’s Home where residential care is required, or via the Nu Start One Support Service to provide experienced staffing and structure alongside existing arrangements. The most appropriate delivery route is agreed collaboratively with the placing authority and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains proportionate, lawful and in the child’s best interests.

Our approach is therapeutic, de-institutionalised and relationship-based, supporting emotional regulation, engagement and safer decision-making during periods of heightened risk.

Our Crisis Intervention Programme

Programme Objectives Summary

Our Crisis Intervention Programme is built around clear, practical objectives that support stabilisation, reflection and forward planning during periods of heightened risk or instability. The programme is informed by research and practice relating to crisis intervention, trauma, attachment and emotional regulation. While each intervention is tailored to the individual, the approach remains consistent in its focus on safety, engagement and achievable progress, starting with the lived experience of the young person.

  • Providing immediate structure and support to stabilise situations and reduce escalation during periods of crisis

  • Using clear, achievable SMART goals to help young people regain a sense of control, purpose and direction

  • Supporting reflection and learning through a consistent Plan–Do–Review model that builds resilience and understanding

  • Creating space for professionals to assess risk, reflect and plan next steps in a calmer, more informed way

Stage 1 - PLAN

Stage 1 focuses on establishing safety, understanding the presenting crisis and creating a clear, proportionate plan for the intervention. Planning begins immediately, even where support is required at short notice. Time is taken to understand the child or young person’s circumstances, risks and lived experience, alongside the views of professionals involved. This ensures the intervention is purposeful, lawful and aligned with the child’s needs. Young people are supported to contribute to the planning process wherever possible, helping to restore a sense of control, predictability and direction during a period of instability.

  • Immediate assessment of risk, safeguarding concerns and presenting needs to support safe decision-making

  • Clear identification of the purpose and objectives of the intervention, agreed with the placing authority

  • Use of short, achievable SMART goals to provide structure, focus and direction during the intervention

  • Active involvement of the young person in planning, where appropriate, to support engagement and ownership

  • Information-sharing and collaboration with professionals to ensure planning is proportionate, informed and joined-up

Stage 2 - DO

Stage 2 focuses on delivering the intervention in a calm, structured and purposeful way, in line with the agreed plan. Support is provided through consistent, relationship-based practice that prioritises emotional safety, containment and engagement. The emphasis is on reducing escalation, supporting regulation and helping the young person experience predictability and stability during a period of crisis. Interventions are flexible and responsive, allowing approaches to adapt as risks, needs and circumstances change, while remaining focused on the agreed objectives and outcomes.

  • Providing consistent, supportive presence to help stabilise emotions and reduce escalation

  • Delivering structured routines and clear expectations to support predictability and safety

  • Using purposeful activity to promote engagement, confidence and positive decision-making

  • Supporting emotional regulation and coping strategies through therapeutic, relationship-based practice

  • Maintaining close communication with professionals to share updates, manage risk and adapt support as needed

Stage 3 - REVIEW

Stage 3 focuses on reflection, learning and informed decision-making following the intervention. Review provides structured time to reflect on what has worked, what has been challenging and how risks and needs have changed. This stage supports the young person and professionals to make sense of the crisis, recognise progress and identify strategies that can reduce the likelihood of future escalation. Learning from the review stage feeds directly into planning and next steps, ensuring decisions are informed, proportionate and focused on achieving safer, more sustainable outcomes.

  • Reviewing progress against agreed objectives and SMART goals to identify learning and outcomes

  • Supporting the young person to reflect on their experiences, strengths and coping strategies

  • Reassessing risk and safeguarding needs in light of changes during the intervention

  • Sharing clear, timely feedback with social workers and professionals to inform next steps

  • Contributing to future planning, placement decisions or ongoing support arrangements

Our Other Services

Children's Homes

Nu Start One Service