Our Youth Workers are deployed in the community to engage young people in hotspot locations and broader community areas. Youth workers assist as trusted positive role models, forming trusted relationships through consistent and friendly interaction. By having meaningful conversations and signposting young people to accessible youth services, we help redirect young people toward interest-led opportunities such as sports, music, creative arts, or volunteering. Outreach Youth Work not only mitigates anti-social behaviour but cultivates a sense of belonging and purpose in the community.
Young Peoples safety is a core concern during the critical hours after school. Our youth workers are deployed from 3:00 to 6:00pm to support students as they transit from school gates to public transport hubs. Their visible presence deters potential risks such as robbery, peer pressure, or exploitation. Along the way, workers engage with young people in conversation, helping them unwind after school and promoting awareness of support services. This initiative promotes reassurance for families and empowers young people to make safer journeys in their neighbourhoods.
In response to reports of localised anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, loitering, or substance misuse, our Youth Workers conduct targeted engagement sessions in identified hotspots. Our youth workers enter these spaces with sensitivity, aiming to de-escalate tensions and provide constructive alternatives. Activities may range from guided discussions to mini skill-building workshops, each tailored to the interests and challenges of the young people present. The goal is to nurture aspirations, encourage pro-social behaviour, and offer paths that lead away from risky environments.
We use outreach as a gateway to greater youth centre engagement. Youth workers begin by meeting young people where they gather, this can be in parks, local hangouts, or outside shops, and build rapport through casual but intentional conversation. Once trust is established, we invite them into youth centres where structured programming is available. Our staff support both entry and participation, ensuring every young person feels welcome and valued. This continuity between street and centre breaks down barriers and helps us shape programmes that truly reflect their voices and needs.
In communities where there are no static youth centres and services are limited or inaccessible, our mobile youth bus acts as a vital resource hub. Visiting housing estates for 12 to 14-week cycles, the bus delivers interactive workshops, mentoring, wellbeing guidance, and career preparation activities directly to young people. With a welcoming and flexible setup, our team creates a safe space for exploration, support, and personal growth. Whether it’s learning new skills, seeking advice, or just connecting with peers, the Youth Bus helps to light up hard-to-reach communities.
Our school-based safeguarding programme recognises that risks for young people often extend beyond the home. Using a Contextual Safeguarding framework, we deliver dynamic interventions including wellbeing workshops, lunchtime clubs, awareness stalls, and student-led ambassador programmes. These empower young people to identify and navigate harmful influences in their social environments, such as peer dynamics, social media, and public spaces, while building resilience and confidence to make informed life choices.
We offer a comprehensive, non-judgmental approach to supporting young people facing challenges around substance misuse. The Youth Development Service provides a spectrum of options, from one-to-one conversations to larger group sessions, tailored interventions, informative assemblies, and accessible drop-in sessions. Young people can receive help without a formal referral. For professionals seeking support for a young person, a referral form is available. Through collaboration with trusted partners like WayThrough, we ensure that help is timely, empathetic, and effective.
TAS represents a holistic partnership between our service, schools, and educational partners. Focused on early intervention, we identify young people at risk of exclusion or disengagement from learning due to emotional, behavioural, or social difficulties. Regular meetings allow stakeholders to share insight and coordinate bespoke support plans that meet each student’s needs. By strengthening relationships and reducing barriers, TAS contributes to a more inclusive and supportive school experience.
