A Place-Based Relational Approach to Developmental Trauma: The Family Intervention and Therapy Service (FITS)

Families where there is developmental trauma often face barriers to care. The Family Intervention and Therapy Service (FITS) is a partnership between local authority Children’s Services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), designed to offer integrated and compassionate care. In this paper, we reflect on our first year, sharing aspects of our people, places, pathways and processes, and describing our ongoing efforts at development and evaluation. Our training and consultation offer has been well-received, even in the context of new partnerships and challenging organisational circumstances. We believe that engendering relational practice in all facets of the work has been key. This innovative, place-based partnership shows promise and will require continued reflection, evolution, and a commitment to an open and collaborative approach.