Redbridge first in the UK to offer youth crime therapy

A ground-breaking new family therapy service aimed at preventing and reducing youth crime has been launched by the London Borough of Redbridge.

It is the first time the innovative Families Functional Therapy-G service has been delivered outside of the US, with the council now able to offer a bespoke family therapy programme for families where young people are deemed at risk of becoming involved in gangs.

Under the programme, a specialist clinical therapist will work with the young person and their family, over a three to five-month period, to build on relationship strengths to overcome negative patterns of behaviour.

The Families Are Forever initiative was given the greenlight following a successfully bid by the council and Family Psychology Mutual for £781,055 through the Youth Endowment Fund. It’s the first funding of its kind to be awarded to the borough by The Youth Endowment Fund - an independent organisation founded with a £200 million Home Office investment, as part of the government's Serious Violence Strategy.

Elaine Norman, cabinet member for Children and Young People said: “Deterring young people away from gangs and criminality is an absolute priority for us. We want to give our young people the best opportunities and starts in life, as well as the support they need when they need it. This innovative new service will help us provide the support and expertise needed to intervene, where young people have been identified as being at risk of gang involvement and exploitation.”