What is FIT?
The Family Intervention Team (FIT) is one of Devon’s Level 3 – Targeted Early Help service.
They support children (0–25) and families with complex, multiple needs who do not meet social‑care threshold, but require intensive, structured support to prevent escalation.
When to consider FIT
Think FIT when a family is experiencing several of the following, and Level 2 Early Help is not enough:
- Persistent or severe non‑school attendance
- Domestic abuse or significant parental conflict
- Substance misuse in the home
- Exploitation risks
- Families known to social care previously / risk of re‑escalation
- Significant behavioural difficulties (beyond ASC‑linked behaviours)
- Crime/ASB involvement or adult prisoner returning home
- Serious mental‑health needs within the household
- Neglectful or harmful parenting concerns
- Housing instability, eviction risk, or unsafe neighbour disputes
FIT focuses on whole‑family assessment, identifying what’s working and what needs to change.
What FIT does
FIT provides intensive, bespoke intervention, such as:
- 1:1 and whole‑family support
- Reducing risk and improving safety
- Improving attendance, aspirations and engagement
- Reducing parental conflict and preventing abuse
- Supporting families stepping down from social care
- Coordinating multi‑agency help
- Using tools such as Outcome Star and Graded Care Profile 2
The aim is to reduce escalation to statutory services and stabilise families
Before requesting FIT
Make sure you’ve:
- Used the Levels of Need tool to identify Level 3 needs
- Completed Level 2 support (TAF, locality advice, Early Help, Family Hubs)
- Talked with the family about FIT and gained consent
- Gathered evidence of what’s been tried already
- Clarified the complexity and the risk pattern you’re seeing
How to request FIT
Submit a Request for Support via Front Door, clearly stating:
- The needs you’ve identified referencing the level of need tool
- Why FIT (Level 3) is appropriate
- What has already been done (with evidence)
- The family’s views and consent
- Priority areas for change
Front Door may consult with FIT to confirm the best support route.