Changing minds, Changing lives
“Gang, Gun and Knife crime” - Youth Initiative.
Last year, 26 teenagers were killed in London - nine in shootings – and 13 have died so far this year. There were 566 serious or fatal incidents involving guns across the UK. Speaking at a Conference in Birmingham the Home Sectratary, Jacqui Smith announced that Tackling Gangs action programme scheme designed to combat knife crime and gun and gang violence will be piloted in 10 areas within the UK
One of the key recommendations from the National round table: Gang, Gun and Knife Crime: seeking solutions – 29/2/08 by APYCO was that
- “the performance framework is unduly focused on increasing conviction rates rather than minimising the number of young people in custody. Consideration should be given to how best to support creative working to address gun, gang and knife crime. These creative initiatives should be encouraged and not undermined through national performance indicators and inspection regimes”,
- “Solutions to divert young people away from gun, gang and knife crime must take a ‘think family’ approach which considers the needs of parents, families and carers as well as the needs of children and young people. This could include intergenerational work, particularly where young people may be lacking role models”
The Extra Mile Group have designed this innovative programme which is aimed at 15-17 year old youths who are involved in and/ or at risk of violent offences/public order offences and subsequently are at risk of further involvement in the Criminal Justice System, and support for their families to embrace positive change.
This programme empowers young people to embrace transference of belonging into a positive set.(self identity)
It aims to divert young people away from Crime and Disorder into an opportunity that allows both personal progression (belief change) and opportunities to reach their potential within an employment/training arena .
This programme also offers “an alternative to custody” option to the Courts when considering sentence of young people and allows Criminal Justice and associated agencies the opportunity to address the issues of such offences, whilst allowing young people the opportunities to work towards a positive, sustainable future.
The course consists of 8 modules all focussing around self belief and behaviour change.
The Extra Mile Group have specialist welfare “wrap around” staff and specialise providers from government and other related organisations to ensure a comprehensive package of intervention and support to young people participating in the course.
We have also incorporated a Measuring change analysis tool.( measures the change in identity and thinking/behaviours.)
There is also a monitoring system inbuilt into the package to monitor re-offending rates– 3, 6 and 12 month stage.
The programme is interactive and allows all young people to have full interaction with the course, whilst having the opportunity to develop their self-identity, thinking processes and positive change to their futures.
The team of specialist family workers will work with the families alongside this programme to educate, advise and support positive change for the young people, their families and the community.
The course meets the Government agendas on Safeguarding Children (Every Child Matters), Youth Justice Agendas (the scaled approach and the pending Youth Rehabilitation Order), RESPECT agendas (reducing Anti-Social Behaviour within communities), Violent Crime agendas (knife and gun crime) and the Education/Employment agenda (NEET)
The day is designed in 8 modules over a 2 week period