An innovative programme supported by Greater Manchester’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and delivered by national charity, SHiFT, has helped reduce and prevent youth violence through tailored, intensive, one-to-one and relationship-based support.
The initiative, known as SHiFT Tameside, was rolled out to young people from February 2023, and a new report has shown that it has improved school attendance, reduced missing episodes, and decreased risks of exploitation and experiencing violence.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“The success of the SHiFT Tameside pilot highlights the dedication and innovative approach of our Violence Reduction Unit.
“Too often services are taught to fix a problem rather than to see the persons affected. By focusing on the individual needs of young people and their parents and carers, providing consistent and compassionate support, we are making a real difference to people’s lives. This programme has shown that with this approach, we can break the cycles of crime and exploitation and empower our young people to take positive action. It demonstrates how Greater Manchester can provide the best opportunities for young people to live well.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work done by the VRU and all our partners in delivering this initiative for Tameside and in our city-region.”
Of the 16 participants interviewed as part of evaluating the programme, it was found that proven offences had decreased by 23% equating to 10 fewer offences, enabling young people to live more safely, causing less harm to themselves and others, and saving significant costs for multiple agencies and services.
Missing episodes had reduced by 39% preventing 88 incidents and the vulnerability to criminal and sexual exploitation that is often linked to children going missing from home and saving approximately £99,600 in investigation costs.
Child exploitation concerns had decreased by 61%, helping to safeguard at-risk young people.
63% fewer school suspensions and exclusions, promoting better educational outcomes and life chances, and keeping children in school, safe and part of a community.
Chair of SHiFT, Professor Martin Griffiths, said:
“By working with rather than doing to, investing time to really listen and understand what the young person and family want rather than doing only what professionals think is needed, and by putting the relationship at the centre of everything, SHiFT has created the right context for young people in Tameside – the young people who professionals were most worried when our work began – to live safer, happier lives. SHiFT Tameside has operationalised hope and I’m really proud, listening especially to the stories of young people and their families today, of what the Practice has achieved.”
“Since starting work in Tameside, SHiFT Manchester has launched and this Practice is also making profoundly positive impacts, particularly in preventing children being remanded to custody. We share the mayor’s vision for systems change and determination to make Greater Manchester a place where all children, young people, and families can live well. SHiFT is committed to playing its full part in making that happen.”
One young person whose life has been helped by SHiFT Tameside is Chris. Chris faced numerous challenges from a young age: family instability led him to miss and be excluded from school which in turn exposed him to criminal exploitation, from taking drugs to being attacked with a machete. After being invited to take part in SHiFT, it took time for Chris and his Guide to build a trusting relationship, Chris and his family felt that they’d been let down previously by other professionals. The breakthrough came when his Guide attended court and spoke on his behalf helping him to avoid being remanded to custody. , The trust between them grew and Chris began to open up to his Guide. Through their work together Chris reduced his drug use, he began to access mental health support, and identify positive interests for him to take part in. It resulted in him making positive decisions, such as learning to drive, living back safely with his family and working to find the right job for himself.
