Crisis activity and stabilisation service
Helping children rediscover childhood.
Many children who experience crisis have spent much of their lives surviving rather than simply being children. While we cannot change a child’s past, we believe we can influence what comes next, through safety, structure, positive relationships, and meaningful daily activity.
Calm during crisis
A safe, structured and supportive environment while professionals plan next steps.
Purposeful days
Structured daily routines built around activities chosen for each young person.
Relationships first
Consistent, respectful relationships, one of the strongest protective factors for children.
Who we are
Calm during crisis, and the chance to simply be a child.
Starling provides short-term crisis activity and stabilisation support for children and young people during periods of instability, supporting families, foster carers, residential services and local authorities while professionals work together to assess needs, reduce immediate risks and plan sustainable longer-term arrangements.
We believe behaviour is communication. Rather than asking “what is wrong with you?”, we ask “what has happened to you?” - and we work relationally, seeking first to understand.
What we offer
A short-term service with a clear purpose.
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Intensive daytime support
Structured, purposeful engagement throughout the day, with consistent and supportive staff.
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Meaningful activity
From outdoor education and sport to cooking, creativity and animal care, tailored to each young person.
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Emotional support
Therapeutic communication, coaching and mentoring that build confidence and emotional regulation.
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Practical life skills
Cooking, budgeting and independent living skills that young people carry with them when they move on.
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Assessment and observation
Helping professionals understand ongoing needs and plan the right next step.
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Multi-agency collaboration
Open, regular communication with social workers, commissioners, education and health professionals.
Our values
Six values guide everything we do.
Safety
Children should feel physically and emotionally safe.
Respect
Every child deserves dignity and compassion.
Relationships
Positive relationships create positive outcomes.
Opportunity
Every child deserves the chance to succeed.
Integrity
We work honestly, transparently and professionally.
Hope
Crisis does not define a child's future.
Make a referral
Supporting a young person in crisis? Talk to us about a referral.
We provide a clear and responsive referral process for local authorities and professionals, and work openly with commissioners to ensure the support we offer matches each child’s assessed needs.