Social workers and local authority teams carry an enormous responsibility. When a young person and their family are at crisis point, the decisions made in those weeks and months can shape the trajectory of a life. The pressure to act — or not to act — under conditions of uncertainty, limited resources, and systemic constraint is immense.
This guide is written for the professionals in that position. It covers what ‘edge of care’ support looks like in practice, how to identify when a specialist provider could make a difference, how to work effectively in partnership with that provider, and what good looks like from a commissioning perspective.
What does ‘edge of care’ mean for local authority practice?
Within local authority children’s services, the term ‘edge of care’ typically refers to young people who are at serious risk of entering local authority care — whether through Section 20 voluntary accommodation or a care order. These are not hypothetical risks. These are families where professionals have serious concerns, where children’s services are already involved, and where the trajectory — without effective intervention — points towards placement.
The decision to place a young person in care is never taken lightly, and it should never be taken simply because the right support was not available at the right time. Edge of care services exist to create that third option: a structured, therapeutic intervention that addresses the underlying difficulties and reduces the immediate risk.
When should a local authority consider an edge of care referral?
There is no single threshold for when an edge of care referral is appropriate, but the following indicators are usually relevant:
- The young person’s behaviour or needs are beyond what the family can safely manage without intensive support
- Family relationships have broken down to a point where the young person cannot safely remain at home without additional intervention
- A previous placement has recently broken down and the young person is at risk of further instability
- The young person is engaging in high-risk behaviour — including self-harm, substance use, or involvement with exploitative adults — that is not being adequately addressed through current provision
- There is a risk of a Section 47 enquiry escalating to a child protection plan or care proceedings
The earlier a referral is made, the more options there are. Edge of care support is most effective when it begins before the situation has reached an acute crisis — though it can also be effective as an emergency intervention when crisis has already occurred.
How does Young Crisis Hub work with local authority teams?
Our edge of care service is designed to integrate with, not replace, the work of the local authority team. We work alongside social workers, team managers, and other involved professionals — never in isolation. Transparency and collaboration are fundamental to the way we operate.
When a referral is received, we:
- Conduct a thorough assessment of the young person’s needs, strengths, and risks
- Meet with the allocated social worker and any other key professionals to understand the full picture
- Develop a bespoke intervention plan with clear goals and review timescales
- Provide regular written updates and attend core group or professionals’ meetings as required
- Escalate any new safeguarding concerns promptly and in line with local authority procedures
We understand the pressures that local authority teams are under. We do not add to your workload — we reduce it, by taking on complex, intensive work with young people and families and providing you with the information you need to make good decisions.
What does a successful edge of care intervention achieve?
Success looks different for every young person and family, but the goals of edge of care support are typically:
- A reduction in the risk factors that were driving concern
- Improved family relationships and carer capacity
- A clearer, more stable care plan that reflects the young person’s needs
- Avoided or delayed entry to the care system, where that is in the young person’s best interests
- If care is ultimately needed, a better-managed transition that preserves family relationships and minimises further harm
We are honest with local authority partners about what we can and cannot achieve. Edge of care support is not a way of avoiding care when care is the right answer. It is a way of ensuring that every realistic alternative has been properly explored and supported — and that the decision to place a young person in care is made with clarity, not by default.
Commissioning edge of care support: what to look for
For commissioners and team managers evaluating edge of care providers, the following questions are worth asking:
- Is the provider CQC regulated?
- Does the provider have experience of working with the specific presentations your team most commonly encounters?
- What is the provider’s approach to multi-agency working, and how do they ensure the local authority remains informed and in control?
- What outcomes data can the provider share?
- How quickly can the provider mobilise a service following referral acceptance?
- What happens if the young person’s needs escalate beyond what was initially anticipated?
At Young Crisis Hub, we are happy to meet with commissioning teams, provide references from existing local authority partners, and discuss how our service model can best serve the needs of your population.
To discuss a referral or a commissioning conversation, please contact our partnerships team.
