Targeted support for vulnerable in serious violence hotspots

Vulnerable young people at risk of being drawn into crime or gangs will benefit from a funding boost to help them stay engaged with their education and out of harm.

Families Minister Vicki Ford has set out the Department for Education plans for two new projects to support young people most at risk of serious violence or gang exploitation, preventing them from entering a life of crime and helping them move into further education, employment or training.

Available in 21 areas across England from November this year, including London, Manchester, and Birmingham, Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforces will work directly with young people in alternative provision settings to offer intensive support from experts, including mental health professionals, family workers, and speech and language therapists.

Backed by £15 million of funding, this two-year programme will aim to keep pupils in Alternative Provision.

An additional £30 million will be invested into a programme of SAFE (‘Support, Attend, Fulfil, Exceed’) Taskforces which will be rolled out in 10 of these serious violence hotspots areas from early 2022. This three-year initiative will be led by local schools to protect young people at risk of truant and from being permanently excluded.

Ford said: “Keeping young people engaged in their learning can be absolutely vital in preventing them from being drawn into serious violence or exploited by gangs – especially in light of increased risks from the pandemic. We have all seen the tragic results of when a child gets caught up in crime, so getting in early to keep them on track is crucial for their safety and that of our communities.

“That is why we are setting up these taskforces to provide the intensive and targeted help these vulnerable young people need, not only for their education but also for their well-being, to ensure they stay on the right track that will ultimately provide them with the bright future they deserve.”

The full list of 21 areas includes: Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon, Liverpool, Leeds, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Nottingham, Leicester, Haringey, Newham, Bristol, Doncaster, Enfield, Southwark, Brent, Bradford, Salford, Lambeth and Sandwell.