Our Services

Choose a service to learn more: 
 

Area-Based Therapy Teams (ABTT) 

What We Do 

ABTT work with children and young people in the care of Tusla. The core purpose of ABTT is to provide multidisciplinary therapeutic input to care planning, supporting better understanding of each child’s needs in the context of their developmental and trauma histories.

We work directly with:

• Children and young people in the care of Tusla
• Their foster carers, relatives, or residential carers
• Social workers, educators and other professionals in the child’s network

Our aim is to build a shared understanding of each child’s therapeutic needs so that interventions are meaningful and proportionate.

ABTT is a targeted service with limited capacity.

For a full overview of the ABTT model, referral pathways and therapeutic approach, please see our ABTT Information Booklet.

You can also find out where Area-Based Therapy Teams are currently located by viewing our ABTT locations.

Who We Support 

ABTT work with children and young people in the care of Tusla that require therapeutic interventions. We engage closely with social workers, caregivers, foster carers and the wider professional network to ensure a coordinated response that supports each child’s emotional wellbeing, communication and overall development. 

Our Approach: AMBIT 

ABTT uses the Adaptive Mentalization-Based Integrative Treatment (AMBIT) model, developed by the Anna Freud Centre. This model promotes reflective, team-based work that adapts to local and individual needs. 

Accessing ABTT 

Referrals are made by Tusla social workers or other Tusla professionals working with the child. Contact your local Tusla Social Work team for more details.

Assessment, Consultation and Therapy Service (ACTS) 

What We Do 

ACTS is a Tusla multidisciplinary clinical service with the remit of supporting young people who are at severe risk of harm and at risk of placement in special care or detention. Our multidisciplinary team provides assessment, consultation and therapy services for those with complex needs. ACTS work toward therapeutic goals as defined and monitored with young people and the networks of family and professionals involved in their lives. 

Who We Support 

Young people aged 11-18 who are placed in secure or special care by Tusla, or who are in youth detention, or who are at risk of these placement types, and who require structured, integrated therapeutic input. 

Our Approach: AMBIT 

ACTS applies the AMBIT model to support complex, high-risk cases through adaptive, team-focused and reflective practice. This means that ACTS teams work to integrate systems of support, including supporting key relationships in young people’s lives, while also working therapeutically directly with young people. 

Accessing ACTS 

Referrals are made by Tusla social workers and case managers. ACTS works collaboratively with social work teams and residential staff to ensure timely, needs-led responses. 

National Interagency Prevention Programme (NIAPP) 

What We Do 

NIAPP delivers intensive intervention for children and adolescents and focuses on responding to children and adolescents who display problematic or harmful sexual behaviour. The programme is delivered through a collaborative approach with justice, education and health agencies. The programme supports children with mild or above intellectual functioning and their families through:  

• Training for professionals.  
• Consultation for tailored advice.  
• Assessment to understand areas of concern, potential strengths and therapeutic needs.  
• Intervention with age-appropriate therapeutic supports.  

Who We Support 

We provide evidence-informed services for children and young people aged 3-18 who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour including contact abuse, exhibitionism, technology-assisted abuse, psychosexual issues linked to child sexual abuse material, or problematic pornography use. 

Our Approach 

NIAPP strives to deliver timely, coordinated, accessible, child-centred services to improve outcomes and prevent further problematic/harmful sexual behaviour.  

Accessing NIAPP 

NIAPP accept referrals from within Tusla, An Garda Síochána, Youth Workers, The Probation Service and any other relevant professionals once the concern has been notified to local Tusla Social Work Department.