The MTFCE National Implementation Team holds the UK Network Partnership agreement with the programme developers and specialises in providing complete implementation services for MTFC sites. In order to realise positive treatment outcomes similar to those attained in the evaluation studies, implementation efforts focus on promoting programme fidelity. To facilitate adherence to the treatment model, MTFCE Consultants work with sites and partnerships to identify issues that are likely to affect their ability to successfully implement the MTFC model.
First Year Schedule of Implementation Activities (Adjustments to this schedule are occasionally made to accommodate specific circumstances).
1. A Consultant from the National Team visits your site. The focus of this visit is to bring all of the stakeholders to a common understanding about the model and implementation procedures. Programme success depends on the participation in and commitment to the model of all relevant agencies and senior managers, so it is important to include all of the stakeholders at this initial step. The model is presented to senior managers from each of the involved agencies including fostering and child care teams and any programme staff or foster carers who may have already been identified, and representatives from relevant outside entities, such as the local Youth Offending services and mental health trust. Finally, an implementation plan and timelines are developed for training programme staff; recruiting, training, and approving foster carers; and placements in the foster homes.
2. Once the clinical team has been appointed and in place, staff attend a four-day training course in the MTFC model. There is an extra fifth day for Programme Supervisors. Clinical training sessions are scheduled as needed for replacement staff and new implementation teams and are held in the north and south of the country.
3. Consultation is provided regarding foster carer recruitment with your agency staff, as needed.
4. The first group of foster carers undergo a two-day training either with other foster carers at a national training or at your site as appropriate.
5. WebPDR procedures are initiated and training is provided for staff.
6. Ongoing weekly telephone consultation is conducted with your programme supervisor regarding treatment plans, progress, issues, and problems for each placement. This involves feedback on DVD recordings of both clinical and foster carer meetings (and the Playgroup for MTFC-P) once placements begin.
7. Periodic reports are prepared for your programme director or senior manager on implementation progress, staff performance, model adherence and other relevant issues. As part of the quarterly review, DVD recordings of your site's weekly foster carer and clinical meetings are coded for adherence to MTFC principles and procedures.
8. Additional in-person training, problem solving, and consultation can be provided when needed. Up to eight days of on-site consultation is provided.
In most cases, new sites can be fully operational within a year from start-up of the implementation.
Staffing
Adequate staffing is an important factor in starting up the MTFC model and in the programme's continued success. To operate a programme with up to 10 beds, the following staff are needed:
MTFC-A
MTFC-C
MTFC-P
Programme supervisor – full time
Programme supervisor – full time
Programme supervisor – full time
Programme Manager – full time initially reducing to half time (recommended UK addition)
Programme Manager – full time initially reducing to half time (recommended UK addition)
Programme Manager – full time initially reducing to half time (recommended UK addition)
Foster Carer Recruiter/Trainer –¾ or full time
Foster Carer Recruiter/Trainer – ¾ or full time
Foster Carer Recruiter/Trainer – ¾ or full time
Family Therapist – part time
Family Therapist – part time
Family Therapist – part time
Individual Therapist – half time for MTFC-A only
Skills coaches – two half time
Skills coaches – two half time
Skills coach – half time
Education worker – full or half time (recommended UK addition)
Education worker – full or half time (recommended UK addition)
Lead Teacher /Skills Coach for playgroup
One foster family for each placement
One foster family for each placement
One foster family for each placement (except sibling groups)
PDR caller / Team Administrator – half time
PDR caller / Team Administrator – half time
PDR caller / Team Administrator – half time
Psychiatry services as needed through local agreements
Psychiatry services as needed through local agreements
Psychiatry services as needed through local agreements
As a guide, programme supervisors may be clinical child psychologists (A4C Band 8b) or family therapists or senior social workers with relevant clinical experience and educated up to masters level. Programme managers may be senior social workers with management experience, individual therapists may be clinical psychologists or social workers, Education workers may be teachers with experience in behavioural support, family therapists may be social workers with additional training in family therapy, and foster carer recruiter/ trainers may be experienced fostering social workers. Foster carers may be experienced carers or brand new to fostering.
For more information about staffing and implementation, contact Rosemarie Roberts or Colin Waterman as indicated in the Contact Information.
