Connect Services for Young People

Connect is a multi-disciplinary team offering services to young people who experience difficulties in relation to substance misuse and/or offending behaviour in the Falkirk Council area.

Referrals are accepted in relation to young people aged between 12 and 18 years of age who reside in the Falkirk Council area and who:

• experience difficulties as a result of offending and/or substance misuse
  
  or
• whose lives are negatively impacted by the substance misuse of other people (where this results in behaviour that places them at risk to themselves or others. 

Service Aims

• To reduce the impact of offending behaviour by young people upon the community.
• To reduce the harm associated with substance use.
• To work with young people in a manner consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as adopted by the UK Government in 1991.
• To assist young people to balance their rights and responsibilities as they mature.
• To develop young peoples skills and confidence enabling them to make positive choices that reflect their rights and responsibilities.
• To provide an evidence based service utilising all available resources taking account of lifestyle, race, gender and cultural background and ensure involvement with the individual, family/carers and significant others.
• Connect acknowledges that there are inequalities relating to young people and we strive therefore to balance the competing demands in all areas of a young persons life.

Service Objectives

• Include young people and their families/carers in decision making.
• Use a harm reduction approach, working positively with young people to reduce the impact of substance use.
• Provide information and advice regarding substances and their effects.
• Assist young people to develop coping strategies and promote resilience.
• Work in partnership with other services to provide a range of positive alternatives.
• Empower young people to take responsibility for their health.
• Provide an intensive, structured package of care based on individual needs.
• Reduce the risk of harm to the individual in the community.
• Provide treatment options in partnership with the Community Alcohol and Drug Service.
• Impact upon the fear of crime.

Related Links

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Connect Services|
Find more information about Connect Services on the Falkirk Council website.