Michael: Supporting a Young Person’s Rehabilitation Through Family Engagement and Holistic Care

This case illustrates the critical role of family relationships in motivating change for young people in custody. It also highlights the importance of building trust between support workers and individuals to enable acceptance of holistic care services, including addiction treatment. Coordinated support on release, including financial, employment, and family reintegration, is vital to reducing reoffending and fostering successful community resettlement. 

Initial Assessment  

During conversations with his Upside worker in custody, Michael identified family, particularly his mother, as a central motivator for change. Despite a previously close relationship, this bond had been strained over the months and years due to his reoffending and substance use behaviours. He was determined to mend the bond, rehabilitate and make his family proud.  

Upside Intervention  

Michael maintained regular contact and visits with his Upside Community worker, Alice. Together, they explored the underlying causes of his offending behaviors, including addictions and mental health issues, and discussed his aspirations for a positive future. 

Alice worked with Michael to recognise the importance of family support and steps to help rebuild his relationship with his mother. Michael openly acknowledged how disappointing his past behaviours were to his family, which further motivated him to change. 

Liberation from Custody  

On the day of his liberation from custody, Michael was supported through several important steps to ensure a smooth transition back into the community. Upside helped him set up his Universal Credit leavers claim, ensuring he had financial support immediately upon release. He was also assisted in registering at the Job Centre to facilitate access to employment opportunities. Although initially reluctant to engage with addiction services, the trust he had developed with Alice enabled him to accept support and visit addiction services for the first time on his liberation day. Additionally, Alice attended a meaningful visit with his mother on liberation day, helping to rebuild their relationship on this significant day, and show Michael was voluntarily requesting support to resettle into community life.  

Family engagement  

During the visit, the mother expressed concerns about the impact of her son’s repeated justice system involvement on the family and her fears about future reoffending. Alice introduced ‘Families Outside’, a partnership organisation to Upside that supports families affected by incarceration. Although the mother declined support at this time, she was grateful to know there are support for families out there as families also experience the sentence, too. She expressed optimism about Michael’s engagement with Upside and believes he now had the chance to rehabilitate successfully. They were delighted Michael had not just considered but had visited and engaged with addiction services as it has always been an obstacle to the family that Michael did not wish to address.  

Ongoing support and Future Plans  

Alice and Michael continue to work closely during his time at Upside, focusing on his rehabilitation and long-term desistance from offending. The young person places great importance on his family’s perception of him, using this as motivation to build a positive and independent future away from the justice system.