Shifting Gears

Safer London and the University of Sussex present Shifting Gears: Reframing our approach to working with young Londoners displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviours an evaluation of Safer London’s Harmful Sexual Behaviours (HSB) service.

With funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, we were supported to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of our HSB service over the course of three years.

As an organisation who is committed to learning, innovating, and delivering high quality, evidence-based support, this evaluation serves as a critical tool in helping us shape this service to be the best it can possibly be for those who access it.

The evaluation aimed to review Safer London’s development and delivery of the service, with the goal of providing recommendations for improvements. This involved reviewing internal processes and case records, as well conducting exploratory conversations with statutory partners, referring agencies, the Safer London team and most importantly - speaking directly to the young Londoners accessing the service, as well as their parents/carers.

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The resulting Shifting Gears report comprises of this external evaluation, as well as recommendations set out by Safer London for others working in the sector.

Safer London’s recommendations for organisations and sector professionals:

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. Equip 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.

The findings of the evaluation will be crucial for us going forward as we continue to grow our service and ensure each young Londoner who accesses it receives holistic, strengths-based, and person focused support to navigate their respective challenges and become the best possible versions of themselves they can be.

Safer London extends its gratitude to the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for their generous support of the HSB programme delivery and development, as well supporting the University of Sussex’s evaluation.

The HSB service is now funded by HFC (Help for Children) and we are looking forward to developing the service even further with their support.

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