The Aquarius service offers support to those who use substances and also those who are affected by familial substance misuse.
Individual’s aged 11 – 19 who are affected by familial substance misuse
We know that some children and young people suffer neglect because of familial substance misuse. Aquarius offers therapeutic support to children and young people aged from 11 to 19 years old who are affected by current familial substance misuse. When a child is under the age of 11 any intervention will only be delivered in partnership with a family support worker/health visitor.
It may be helpful for those children and young people who:
- are anxious, stressed or worried
- have difficulty managing their emotions and behaviour
- are withdrawn or seem unhappy
- demonstrate lower than expected academic progress
- have difficulty forming or maintaining relationships
Our interventions aim to help children to:
- express their thoughts and feelings
- explore their anxieties and fears
- learn to manage their behaviours and develop coping strategies
- develop their resilience and confidence
- find healthier ways to communicate
- build healthier relationships within their family, school and peers
Support and advice for individuals aged 11-19 (or 25 in cases where it is appropriate) who use drugs and alcohol
We will support anyone up to the age of 19 (or 25 in cases where it is appropriate), living in Oxfordshire with a substance misuse problem or at risk of developing one.
Many of the young people we work with also have other vulnerabilities; school exclusions, truancy, teenage pregnancy, child sexual and drug exploitation, in care or leaving care, homelessness, mental, emotional and physical health issues, offending, lack of education attainment and unemployment.
Although we work with young people/children as individuals, we adopt the ‘Think Family’ philosophy and make sure that the support provided by Aquarius is co-ordinated and has a focus on problems affecting the whole family.
We provide:
- outreach to engage with hard to reach and ‘at risk’ young people
- brief interventions and advice
- comprehensive assessment and care planning
- 1:1 support and structured interventions
- group work
- support and training for parents, carers and professionals
- referrals to specialist services