PREVENT
| Kirklees YOT is
involved in a new and dynamic project titled PREVENT. This two year project (due to end in November 2010) works in close liaison with Kirklees Council, the Police, Schools, Young Peoples Service and voluntary agencies. |
|
See the Project's Final Report here
The project is funded by the Home Office for Security and
Counter Terrorism (OSCT) and is part of the Governments counter
terrorism strategy. This is in recognition of the fact that “the
young people with whom youth justice programmes engage are among
the most socially excluded and are potentially vulnerable to
influence from those promoting violent extremism, either in the
community or in custodial establishments. There is evidence to
suggest that young people from 16-24 are at particular risk of
being exploited. We have been funded to deliver programmes
focusing on objective 3 of the Prevent strategy:‘ supporting
vulnerable individuals who are being targeted and recruited to
violent extremism’ “(YJB Corporate and Business Plan 2009/10)
The staff team delivering this project are:
-
Lynne Graham - Early Intervention Manager
-
Wendy Daniel - Advance Practitioner (PVE)
-
Elissa Gay - PVE Project Officer
-
Cath Mellor - PVE Project Officer
We are undertaking a
variety of projects primarily working with young people involved in the
criminal justice system. These include:
Citizenship Programme
Citizenship Education is vital to empowering socially excluded and
vulnerable young people. Through this programme we aim to assist young
people to learn how to become active, informed and responsible citizens.
Furthermore, the opportunity to work through the 8 sessions will allow young
people to discuss difficult and challenging issues in a safe and open
environment; thus supporting mainstream voices, challenging violent
extremist ideologues and increasing resilience in our communities. Young
people who complete the entire programme would be eligible to attain the
ASDAN short course Citizenship Award (10 credits). Pilot scheduled for
Summer 2009.
Diversity Programme
This programme is working with young people who have been convicted of hate
crime/s and/or have expressed discriminatory views. It is delivered in
partnership with the Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre and Kirklees Hate Crime
Unit.
Young people meeting a Holocaust
survivor
This is an 8 week group work programme where we will be discussing concepts
of Prejudice, Discrimination and Racism and looking at the impact of this on
victims of crime as well as the general community. Pilot completed March ‘.
An evaluation report available by contacting
Wendy Daniel.
The conclusions drawn from the evaluation by Martin Manby (Nationwide
Children’s Research Centre) included;
“The Programme was clearly successful in targeting vulnerable young people,
as evidenced by the fact that three of them had committed
racially-aggravated offences, and the other two clearly demonstrated racist
attitudes. The Youth Justice Board emphasised that objective 3 was
particularly important, and the Programme was able to demonstrate
compliance. Tackling racist attitudes of young people within the Youth
Justice system is a complex and demanding task, and the Group Leaders’
endeavours in addressing these issues were commendable.
The Programme was carefully constructed. Group Leaders were able to focus
clearly on key issues relating to racism, stereotype, prejudice and
discrimination; and, within the constraints of the Programme, they were able
to offer appropriate challenge and support in relation to young people’s
attitudes.”
Pathways Into Adulthood
This programme is working with 15-18year old Muslim males who are involved
or at risk of being involved in the criminal justice system. This programme
aims to assist them to develop a legitimate pathway into adulthood through
the process of ERUPT (Engagement, Research, Understanding, Presentation and
Teamwork) The programme is being delivered in partnership with Kirklees
Young Peoples Service. Due to be piloted October 2009.
Young people, Parents, YOT staff, Dave
Tomalin (Lippy Films), Rob Vincent, Chief Executive , Kirklees Council and
Alison O’ Sullivan, Director ChYPS, Kirklees Council
“In the Extreme” Film Project
Working in partnership with Lippy Films we developed a short film (8
minutes) exploring themes relevant to the PREVENT agenda. This film is
supported by an educational resource pack that can be used with young people
to introduce and explore PREVENT. The film was officially launched at the
Lawrence Batley Theatre on 17th June 2009. Six young people were supported
to achieve the Bronze Arts Award through the Arts Council (UK) Evaluation
report and any further information available by contacting
Wendy Daniel.
Young people, Parents, YOT staff, Dave
Tomalin (Lippy Films), Chief Superintendent John Robins and Chief Inspector
Vince Firth
The conclusions drawn from the evaluation by Martin Manby (Nationwide
Children’s Research Centre) included;
“All the young people valued their involvement and gained from this in a
variety of ways, including teamwork skills, creative experience, use of
drama, and learning about the technical side of film making. Most of the
young people believed that their self-esteem had improved through their
involvement in the production of the film. The young people increased their
knowledge of Violent Extremism, and they were clear that they would not join
in this kind of behaviour. It was significant that young people involved
made a positive choice to take part in the project. Film production emerged
as a valuable medium for engagement by YOT staff with young people linked to
the wide variety of roles and opportunities for creative contributions
available for them.”
(Young people, Parents, YOT staff, Dave Tomalin (Lippy Films), Rob Vincent,
Chief Executive , Kirklees Council and Alison O’ Sullivan, Director ChYPS,
Kirklees Council)
Theatre Project
Working in partnership with GW Theatre we developed a short play that
explores issues relevant to PREVENT; community cohesion, ethnic conflict,
racism, gangs and knife crime. This week long project culminated in the
young people performing their play to 4 school groups from Kirklees as well
as parents and professionals on 10th July 2009.
Dennis Shields Pupil Referral Service Manager stated, "We want to thank you
for the invitation and for all your hard work with the young people of
Kirklees - as we very much see this as a shared task and responsibility. The
young people's play was well thought out and their performance was very well
received by those present.” There will be a script resource developed from
this project that can be used with other groups of young people were
supported to achieve the Bronze Arts Award through the Arts Council (UK).
Contact Wendy Daniel for
further information.
Parenting Project
We have developed a 5 session parenting programme in partnership with YOT
parenting workers, Safer Stronger Communities, Barnardos and the Police
which aims to improving parenting skills with a focus on ensuring the safety
of vulnerable young children by looking at e-safety and grooming issues as
well as the impact of crime on young people. Due to be piloted October 2009
at Ravensthorpe Community Centre.
Useful links
