About Brandon Centre Systemic Integrative Treatment (SIT)

Brandon Centre has developed Systemic Integrative Treatment (SIT) based on 14 years’ experience of delivering the American model of Multi-systemic Therapy (MST), specifically for families of young people facing persistent moderate to severe behavioural challenges.

SIT was adapted for families requiring longer intervention than MST provides, and to align with the UK’s education, health, police, and social care systems.

SIT equips families with the tools they need to manage and reduce concerning or dangerous behaviours, preventing young people from entering often traumatic and costly out-of-home care. SIT also supports families with young people already in the care system, helping them to return home.

SIT accepts referrals from professionals in social services, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and youth offending services seeking intensive, evidence-based treatments to support young people with complex, multi-faceted needs.

Brandon Centre has successfully delivered SIT for the past 8 years, with several boroughs across London commissioning the service.

The Treatment

SIT is a two-phase, up to 12-month treatment programme for families of children aged 8-16. The first phase lasts for six months (or up to eight months for harmful sexual behaviour) and involves an intensive, individualised home-based treatment led by a designated SIT therapist. The therapist addresses the young person’s behavioural issues by working predominantly alongside the primary caregiver(s), whilst also collaborating with other agencies, such as school, CAMHS and social care. This systemically informed approach means that the key adults in the young person’s life align their strategies, resulting in significant and sustained behavioural
change.

During this phase, sessions occur two to three times a week in the family home, with flexible scheduling to accommodate the family’s needs. A 24/7 on-call telephone service is also available for parents during this intensive phase.

The second phase includes gradually tapered, sustainability- focused sessions with the family, booster sessions as needed, participation in professional meetings, and ongoing consultations with the referrer and key professionals, extending the total treatment duration to up to 12 months.

Referral Criteria

**Essential Inclusion Criteria for Young People:**

  • Aged 8 to 16 years.
  • Living at home, in long-term foster care, or in a short-term placement with a plan to return home.
  • Intellectual functioning above 65.
  • Behaviors to be addressed include at least one of the following: school refusal, regular absconding, violence, self-harm, substance misuse, offending, defiant or severe oppositional behavior, or harmful sexual behavior.
  • Parent or carer to have been made aware of the nature of the service, and consented to an initial assessment.

**Also Accepted:**

  • Children whose behavior risks placement out of the family home (e.g., into care, custody, or hospital) or threatens foster placement stability.
  • Children with ADHD or high-functioning ASD exhibiting the above behaviours.

    • **Additional Criteria for Harmful Sexual Behaviour:**

  • Offence is no longer in the police or court system.
  • Offence occurred no more than two years ago.
  • Parental or carer acknowledgment of the offence (absolute denial is not acceptable, but minimisation can be addressed).
    • More information about SIT treatment can be found in our leaflet

    BC SIT for professionals BC SIT for parents/carers

    If you are a commissioner or professional interested in referring a child to SIT or seeking more information, please contact us at familyservice@brandoncentre.org.uk, or call Brandon Centre reception on 020 7267 4792.