Kooth

The business case
In the years since Kooth launched in 2004, the case for investing in the service has become ever more compelling for local authorities and PCTs. The number of geographical areas served by Kooth has increased every year.

Firstly, the design of the service means that Kooth reaches high risk, vulnerable young people who do not access face-to-face or telephone based services.

In the period August 2007 to November 2008:

• 19% of Kooth users who received counselling presented with depression, self harm or suicidal thoughts
• 17% of users who received counselling presented with family relationship problems
• 14% presented with in care precursors (these are circumstances that studies have found to be significant risk factors for children going into care: parental relationship breakdown; sexual abuse; disruption to education; teenage pregnancy; absent parents; domestic violence; safe and healthy environment; parental substance misuse; financial hardship)

Local authorities and PCTs are making a return on their investments into Kooth. For example, Stockport Council achieved savings of almost £870k in 2004/05 because of Kooth and the contribution of associated agencies - 8 of the young people referred to and supported by the early intervention team by the Kooth counsellors would otherwise ultimately have gone into the care system.

Given the preventative nature of the work Kooth does and the types of young people who use the service, other savings can be projected on the basis that an inpatient episode costs £1,155, an A & E presentation costs £102, a child going missing from home due to family breakdown costs £1,500, and the cost of local authority accommodation is between £500 and £2,000 per week.

Kooth operates with a relatively low cost base

Kooth enables objectives to be met in terms of a number of key local and central initiatives, such as the Preventative Strategy, Every Child Matters, the E-Government agenda, Safeguarding and Youth Matters. To find out more visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

In order to demonstrate Kooth's performance and the outcomes we deliver, we produce a wealth of management information for customers and our case management and clinical managers. The extensive reporting capabilities:

• enable the counselling team to ensure that the proper level of support is provided and that other agencies are involved as appropriate
• enable the Service Director to ensure that the supply of services is matched to demand
• provide Local Authority and PCT managers with detailed insights into the main issues impacting young people in their area and enable them to accurately measure the performance of the Kooth service

Importantly, the Kooth Case Notes system matches the Every Child Matters CAF form.

And most importantly of all, Kooth literally saves the lives of young people. If you'd like to see our case studies or would like any more information on how Kooth could enable you to serve your local population of high risk and hard-to-reach young people feel free to call us now on 0845 330 7090 or contact us