Social systems intervention and crisis resolution. Part 2: Intervention

Home treatment as an alternative to acute adult in-patient care is part of the National Health Service's Plan for mental health services in the UK. As a form of crisis intervention, it benefits from an understanding of, and ways of working with, the social systems relevant to the patient in crisis. This article describes the social systems intervention process as an alternative to admission and also considers its application in achieving early in-patient discharge.