New support service designed to reduce young people getting involved in the criminal justice system for Humber region
Children across East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, that have been in contact with the criminal justice system are being targeted by a new support service
Specialist Therapists from East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire will work closely with Youth Justice Teams to provide early intervention support to young people who come into contact with criminal activity, particularly those involved in violent incidents.
It's part of a new support service designed to reduce young people getting involved in the criminal justice system.
Local mental health charities Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, North East Lincolnshire Mind and North Lincolnshire Mind have received funding to offer therapeutic mental health support to young people across Hull, East Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire.
These local charities promote mental health and offer tailored services to help people to get well, and stay well.
Sam Bell is the Director of Operations at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind:
"It's just brilliant to be able to make sure that young people have got access to that service, instead of getting, you know, stuck in a system and waiting for referrals, as it's like for everybody out there, it's really difficult.
"Also, at that age, it's difficult growing up. It is really difficult. We all know, we've been there, and it's really important that the services are designed to meet the needs of those young people, and they're our future out there.
"I think, we all know with mental health problems, difficulties, emotional problems and just being able to talk to people is important. If you can get in their early, then it prevents those longer term issues developing, and prevents people having to struggle later in life."
She added that working with the Youth Justice Teams will have a great impact:
"So we will build relationships with each of the youth justice teams in each area. We've already got a really good relationship in Hull with that youth justice team, and the people we see, will be direct referrals from their services, and they'll be put into the therapy service we provide.
"We'll be seeing those who have been in contact with the justice service, so they've come to the attention of the police, and it's really about getting to the group of people that really, really need that support."
Finally, Sam detailed that the key is to reduce more occurrences of teenager and young people getting into trouble with the police and the justice system:
"The main theme of this service is about violence prevention, and I think that's really important to understand.
"Violence doesn't come from an angry place. It comes from a place of pain, and anger and, you know, sometimes all that's needed is someone just to listen. So it's really, you know, it's an early intervention approach to reduce the need for longer term."
The Humber Violence Prevention Partnership, hosted by The Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner, has allocated funding worth £40,000 to the charities to deliver therapeutic services to young people aged 10-18 with a focus on promoting mental health and wellbeing.
The Humber Violence Prevention Partnership aim to target resources where they will have the greatest effect in reducing violence in the future, looking at long-term and short-term solutions to prevention.
The Humber Violence Prevention Partnership is part of 18 other Violence Reduction Units across England and Wales which have been operating since 2019.
Through this new support offer, the charities will work closely with Youth Justice Teams across the Humber area to provide early intervention support to young people who come into contact with criminal activity, particularly those involved in violent incidents.
The team of specialist therapists will deliver a range of interventions and work collaboratively with the young person to create a trauma-informed plan.
Through this approach, the partnership hopes to reduce the contact of young people with the criminal justice system and improve their overall mental health and wellbeing.
Emma Dallimore, Chief Executive at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind said:
“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the Humber Violence Prevention Partnership to offer valuable support to the young people who most need it in our area. The programme will work with young people to help them develop strategies to take control, feel empowered and develop thoughtful and healthy futures in the face of challenging past experiences.”
PCC Jonathan Evison, Chair of the Humber Violence Prevention Partnership, said:
“One of the key aims of our Partnership is to provide positive interventions with young people who have come into contact with criminal activity, particularly violent crime. This programme, delivered by local charities, will deliver specialist therapy to improve the mental health and wellbeing of those affected and improve their future prospects. I look forward to seeing it take shape.”
The project will be delivered by Hull and East Yorkshire Mind in conjunction with North East Lincolnshire Mind and North Lincolnshire Mind.
The partnership will monitor progress on a monthly basis, with a focus on positive outcomes for young people's lives.