ACTS is a national specialist clinical service which provides multidisciplinary consultation, assessment and focused interventions to young people who have high risk behaviours associated with complex clinical needs. ACTS also supports other professionals in their ongoing work with young people and their families.

This includes:
• On-site therapeutic services to young people in secure settings in Ireland (Special Care and the Children Detention Schools);
• Ongoing support when young people return to community settings to help them to reengage with mainstream services, as appropriate;
• Support through some of the difficult transitions in young people’s lives;
• Consultation in the community for young people at significant risk of placement in secure settings.

ACTS provides multidisciplinary interventions supported by evidence based research literature; clinically informed practice based evidence; best international practice and in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and guidelines. The aim of the service is to facilitate the provision of more therapeutic environments in the national Special Care Units and Children Detention Schools and to work in partnership with others to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable young people in Ireland.

This document outlines the purpose and vision of this service as well as a set of core values. Together these inform the strategic focus of the service and form the basis for service development priorities for 2015.