A multi-agency mash up – a DBT informed transitions pilot project.

This article presents a multi-agency pilot project in an inner London borough that delivered a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed group for young people aged 16–24 experiencing emotion regulation difficulties and complex mental health needs not adequately met by traditional services. The project involved collaboration between two NHS trusts and a non-statutory mental health service, aiming to support care-experienced and underserved youth during the challenging transition from child to adult mental health services, a period often marked by service gaps and disengagement. The pilot emphasized a trauma-informed, human rights-based approach aligned with international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and highlighted both the benefits of multi-agency working—such as shared expertise and improved service familiarity—and challenges including differing organizational processes, resource demands, and information governance. Preliminary outcomes suggested some improvements in emotion regulation among participants and positive qualitative feedback, though the project faced limitations in co-production and outcome measurement. The authors reflect on the importance of collaboration, consistency, and flexibility in addressing the complex needs of marginalized young people during service transitions.