Annual Report 22/23 Accessible Version

Gangs and county lines service

Violence, Vulnerability and Exploitation Service (£41,264)

Delivered by St Giles Trust to 30 June 2022.

This service consisted of three elements:

1. Outreach support for young people on the periphery of criminality and committing low level ASB in West Kent.
2. 1 to 1 casework and a Peer Mentor scheme for those involved in gangs and county lines.
3. Crime prevention inputs in schools on gangs, county lines, knife crime and exploitation and mentoring for those identified as being at risk.

Outcomes

In the period 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2022:

a) The team managed a total caseload of 213, with 160 engaging in interventions.

b) 72 of those supported reported improved wellbeing, 63 increased self-esteem and 60 enhanced protective factors such as improved relationships with family and greater school attendance.

c) 53 schools received inputs and over 220 mentoring sessions were delivered.

Gangs and county lines service (£103,716)

Delivered by Catch22 and commenced 1 July 2022.

In early 2022, in conjunction with the VRU, I released a tender for the delivery of an age-appropriate trauma informed, needs led service. It would provide long term support to children and young people (C&YP) and their close relatives or immediate support network to reduce risk and prevent serious youth violence, exploitation and gang and county line activity.

The service is divided into two elements,

1. Preventative interventions for those C&YP up to the age of 25 at risk of serious youth violence, knife offences, drug supply, criminal exploitation, or gangs.
2. Protective interventions for those C&YP up to the age of 25 involved in serious youth violence, knife offences, drug supply, criminal exploitation, or gangs.

The value of the 3-year contract is £350,000 which I part fund with the VRU.

Catch 22 were awarded the contract and currently deliver the service in Canterbury, Ashford, Maidstone, Medway, Swale and Thanet.

Outcomes

In the period 1 July 2022 to 31 March 2023:

a) The service received 209 referrals, with 95.1% being male and 43.8% having complex needs.

b) 87% of those supported showed progress in 1 positive outcome and 80% in 2 positive outcomes, with family and safety seeing the most positive progress.

c) Feedback on the service has included:

“Your support has included me the parent and this is the first this has happened during this difficult time” (parent)

“…this has been a complex and difficult case, your caseworker has shown compassion, persistence, and professionalism throughout. The results we are seeing is due to them” (professional)

 “…they have helped me understand my actions and consequences” (young person)