Shifting Gears

Develop a consistent and holistic plan for Supporting ongoing work within schools

We recommend Safer London considers a consistent and holistic plan for supporting ongoing work within schools upon ending an intervention with a young Londoner.

This might include a closing letter to a school with clear and accessible advice tailored to the young Londoner’s needs and /or a more comprehensive package of support (depending on the school’s interest and Safer London’s capacity to deliver).

Whilst resources within the HSB service may be limited, it could be worth exploring how the team can offer training, advice and support to the school to continue upskilling education staff as a means of addressing HSB using a whole school (preventative) approach.

Explore re-branding the HSB service

Continue to explore re-branding the HSB service using asset/strengths-focused language rather than deficit/ problem-focused language.

The team described an interest in re-naming the service the ‘Healthy Relationships Project’ and we would encourage this as it both reflects the level of risk and harm they are addressing (i.e. below the level of ‘problematic’ on Hackett’s continuum) and might also enable Safer London’s aspirations to continue embedding a Contextual Safeguarding approach throughout all services.

Right now, the HSB service offers a very individualised approach, in addition to some support/advice for parents/ carers and the schools young Londoners attend. However, a wider framing around healthy relationships might enable them to explore the use of group work and the benefits ofpeer learning, which would be easier to do under the banner

Capture how young londoners’ victimisation is surfaced in the work

Although evident in conversations with HSB service staff, perhaps more work could be done on recording data which captures how young Londoners' victimisation is surfaced in the work.

Whilst staff were able to articulate how an understanding and awareness of prior abuse and victimisation are common amongst young Londoners exhibiting inappropriate or problematic sexual behaviours, data we collected did not help us to understand how or where this is considered in the work (e.g. at the stage of assessment or later in the direct work)

Build robust and consistent process for recording outcomes

We recommend Safer London continues to develop a robust and consistent process for recording outcomes for young Londoners.

We were only able to gain access to one initial and one closing AIM assessment. Whilst we are aware that a significant amount of work was done when the service re-started to modify the standard AIM assessment for the work Safer London planned to undertake, we did not gain access to a sufficient number of assessments to comment on the modified assessment or how it is being used within the service to identify and measure outcomes.

The issue of measuring outcomes remains challenging within this area of work and particularly for a new service that underwent significant structural and staffing changes throughout its first few years.

Moving forward, it will be important for Safer London to focus on clarifying key outcomes for the service and working to ensure the means of capturing outcome data are available and understood by staff responsible for collecting them.

Develop robust support structures

Establishing robust and supportive structures within the organisation is crucial. This includes providing regular clinical supervision or reflective practice for practitioners involved in HSB casework, ensuring they have the necessary support and guidance to address complex issues effectively.

Invest in training and development

Prioritise training and development opportunities for practitioners, particularly those in managerial positions. Equipping them with specialised training in HSB intervention techniques will enhance their ability to support frontline workers and ensure the delivery of high-quality services.

Foster flexibility in service delivery

Recognise the importance of flexibility in service delivery to meet the individual needs of young people. This may involve adapting the timing, location, and focus of interventions to ensure they are tailored to each young person’s specific circumstances and preferences.

Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing

Create opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Initiatives such as drop-in surgery forums, where staff can seek support and expertise from specialised teams, can enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and improve outcomes for young people.

Build trust and understanding

Invest in building trust and understanding among referring organisations and stakeholders. This involves cultivating a reputation for expertise and commitment to prioritising the wellbeing of young people, which can foster strong partnerships and facilitate effective collaboration.

Embrace adaptability and resilience

Emphasise the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating challenges and setbacks. Organisations should be prepared to pivot and adjust their approaches as needed, drawing on internal strengths and resources to overcome obstacles and achieve positive outcomes.