Linden Services for Children is part of Extern, which is a charity within the voluntary sector. The organisation's mission is to promote social inclusion and help reduce the incidence of offending behaviour. Extern operates in both the North and South of Ireland and works with children, families, adults and communities. It aims, through assessment and carefully tailored services, to meet complex needs. Linden is one of a range of innovative interventions designed to work with young people aged 13-17 years and their families, combining both short-term residential placement and a community-based approach using Multisystemic Therapy. This article is a description of the service that is provided and how it draws upon other support programmes within the organisation and in so doing fulfils the requirements of both the Children (NI) Order 1995 and the Criminal Justice (Children) Order 1998. It explains how Extern and Linden Services helps young people avoid long-term reliance on residential care or custody and empowers and strengthens the family.