International Juvenile Justice Observatory’s Post

Early on in my youth work career I set up an inclusion initiative at the secondary school I worked at for boys who were most at-risk of permanent exclusion. The idea was to replicate a youth club setting on site: provide a regular, reliable, safe space for them to express themselves, learn to communicate and build positive relationships with the school environment. At first it was met with suspicion. Within two years it was seen as something to be proud of; I had boys requesting to attend and others queueing up outside sessions, peering in through the glass. Part of the reason I did this was because outside the school gates, on the roads and at home, many of the students who attended my sessions experienced daily fear and hyper-vigilance. But within the school gates, even if they resented authority or found themselves getting in trouble, they at least felt safe. Keeping them there, engaging meaningfully with them as a staff member who wasn't a teacher, and giving them a chance outside of lessons to learn and apply social skills in a relaxed environment, proved to be a potent formula. That's why I'm really proud to be sharing new practice guidance by the Youth Endowment Fund which is published today. It's the most robust, evidence-based guidance for school, college and Alternative Provision leaders about how to prevent violence amongst young people ever produced. https://lnkd.in/ee6SthZn It makes five core recommendations, breaks down our research and provides examples of best practice from across the UK:   1️⃣ Keep children in education. Being in school or college increases safety. Schools and colleges should use evidence-informed approaches to improve attendance (e.g., meetings with parents/carers). When children are suspended or excluded, prioritise rapid, appropriate and effective support. 2️⃣ Provide trusted adults. A positive adult role model can make a big difference to a vulnerable child. Prioritise sports and mentoring programmes, which can reduce violence, improve behaviour and develop social skills. 3️⃣ Develop social and emotional skills. Lessons and therapies aimed at helping pupils regulate their emotions, control impulses and empathise with others can reduce crime by up to 30%. Sessions focused on relationship violence are also key, reducing violence by 17%.   4️⃣ Target places and times. Violence happens in certain places and at certain times. Schools should consult with pupils to spot when and where they feel less safe, and then work with local partners to coordinate safeguarding strategies. 5️⃣ Reconsider unproven strategies & avoid harmful approaches. Prioritise approaches which are supported by the evidence. Tactics such as knife crime education programmes are commonly used but lack robust evidence to support their effectiveness. You can download the full Guidance here https://lnkd.in/eYcZKc-d

The Youth Endowment Fund has researched and published a report on Education, Children and Violence which looks at how schools and colleges can proactively work with children and young people to support a reduction in violence through community engagement; mentoring support and social and emotional skills coaching. The report takes an evidence-based approach to looking at successful strategies to support young people and provides a support tool kit for schools and colleges. #schools #safeguarding #schoolsupport #behaviourmanagement https://buff.ly/3Vc4Pct The Youth Endowment Fund has conducted research and released a study on Education, Children, and Violence. The focus is on how educational institutions can actively engage with young individuals to promote a decrease in violence by engaging the wider community, offering mentorship, and providing coaching on social and emotional skills. The report adopts a data-driven approach to examine effective methods for supporting youth and offers a toolkit for schools and colleges to utilize. #education #youth #violenceprevention #communityinvolvement

#ICYMI We recently published a new guest post on Ed Note from Katie Reed with Afton Partners! In the post, Reed outlines an innovative study that the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Education in the District of Columbia used as an opportunity to reimagine how to investigate school funding. Read the full post here: https://ow.ly/mgTf50SXwFs #EducationPolicy #Schools #Funding

In Australia, approximately 300,000 young people are not attending school, education or work. MCM’s Living Learning program is making a significant impact by blending educational support with mental health care and personalised, flexible approaches.    A recent article in Education HQ outlines how this initiative is transforming the lives of students who have faced barriers to consistent school engagement.   By tackling barriers such as mental health, homelessness and trauma with a multi-disciplinary team, Living Learning goes beyond simply placing students back in classrooms. It’s about addressing their unique needs to foster genuine engagement and encourage success.    The Living Learning program was piloted at Hester Hornbrook Academy where 80% of students are now working or studying and three quarters have shown improvements in their literacy and numeracy skills. Living Learning demonstrates that with the right support, every student can find their path to education.   MCM would like to thank our philanthropic investors, Gandel Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, The Ross Trust, Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Department of Treasury and Finance, Victoria and Victorian Department of Families, Fairness & Housing.   We were thrilled to discuss the impact of the Living Learning program with Grant Quarry from EducationHQ. Read the full article https://lnkd.in/gx6Z6ZTg   Find out more about the Living Learning program https://lnkd.in/gadpAi_8 at Hester Hornbrook Academy https://lnkd.in/gAXjrBqp.

Why doesn't funding act in the best interests of the students, instead of ineffectual bureaucratic institutions? Children have unique needs. Shouldn't the goal of public education be to maximize the potential of every student? Funding systems first, rather than students first inherently diminishes that potential. Read more: https://loom.ly/vlpX6oU #education #funding #charterschool #charterschools #choice #change

🚨Teachers and Leaders: New important publication 🚨 50 children lose their lives each year from violence. New guidance published today tells you the five things that Schools and Colleges can do to save lives - based on the very best available evidence. It is not the job of schools, colleges and alternative provision (AP) to single-handedly reduce violence. But the fear of violence disrupts education. One in five teenage children skipped school last year because of the fear of violence in their neighbourhoods. Violence is a serious concern for teachers and students. We found that 2 in 3 teachers said that a child had been seriously assaulted at their school last term. 1 in 7 teachers said that a child had brought in a weapon into school. Does this mean our schools are unsafe? No, in fact, schools and colleges are one of the safest places. 89% of teachers and 85% of teenage pupils feel safe or very safe in school (for kids, that is higher than anywhere but home). They are therefore places that can help reduce violence. So what can they do?   We reviewed the global evidence of what works to prevent children becoming involved in violence and are making five recommendations.   1️⃣ Keep children in education. Being in school or college increases safety. Schools and colleges should use evidence-informed approaches to improve attendance (e.g., meetings with parents/carers). When children are suspended or excluded, prioritise rapid, appropriate and effective support. 2️⃣ Provide trusted adults. A positive adult role model can make a big difference to a vulnerable child. Prioritise sports and mentoring programmes, which can reduce violence, improve behaviour and develop social skills. 3️⃣ Develop social and emotional skills. Lessons and therapies aimed at helping pupils regulate their emotions, control impulses and empathise with others can reduce crime by up to 30%. Sessions focused on relationship violence are also key, reducing violence by 17%.   4️⃣ Target places and times. Violence happens in certain places and at certain times. Schools should consult with pupils to spot when and where they feel less safe, and then work with local partners to coordinate safeguarding strategies. 5️⃣ Reconsider unproven strategies & AVOID harmful approaches. Prioritise approaches which are supported by the evidence. Tactics such as knife crime education programmes are commonly used but lack robust evidence to support their effectiveness. Do download the full Guidance here https://lnkd.in/eYcZKc-d. At the bottom of that webpage, you can sign up for our education newsletter and become part of our movement. We want all children to live a life free from violence. Join us.

Fort Worth Education Partnership's latest report highlights the city’s urgent challenges in schools. Only 35% of Fort Worth students are meeting grade-level standards, and more than half are unable to read at grade level. This isn’t just a school issue; it’s a citywide crisis with serious implications for the future workforce and community. FWEP is dedicated to addressing these challenges, but it’s clear that collective action is needed to make a real difference. At City Fund, we are proud to support FWEP and other organizations that are making meaningful changes in their cities. #Education #FortWorth #CommunityImpact 📰: https://bit.ly/3SNlBwV

Your Expertise Can Shape Your Community Wild guess. You've likely got a packed schedule. Long hours of work, as well as family, and personal commitments - it's a juggling act. But I bet you care about where you, your friends and family live so wouldn't it be great to see yours or their neighborhoods thrive? In Zambia, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) relies on brilliant ideas by citizens to fund local development and Ward Development Committees (WDCs) are where the rubber meets the road. WDCs are the first in line of decision-making bodies for how CDF allocations are used in each Ward, and ultimately Constituency and district. Now that most councils are receiving applications for 2025, consider getting your hands on the schedule of WDC meetings in your area. Yup, if you don’t already know them, it’s now time to get to know them. Ask your MP or Councillor about them. WDCs, as I mentioned earlier, are the first in line of CDF decision making bodies. They are the bedrock of the CDF process. By attending WDC meetings, citizens like you, your family and friends can contribute invaluable insights and expertise to decision-making, ensuring that CDF resources are aligned with community priorities. No matter how brilliant an idea may be, without the WDC Chairperson’s signature on minutes of WDC meetings, brilliant ideas remain just that - ideas. Brilliant as they may be. Also consider using your network to spread the word that learners whose parents or guardians do not have reliable sources of income may apply for secondary boarding school bursaries and youths may apply for skills development courses offered at TEVETA accredited institutions. And finally, you or someone you know could get a loan or grant for business. Spread the word: Encourage others to participate in community development. #EmpowerYourNetwork #BeyondTheBallot

Something to incorporate into effective practice. Feeling safe should not be a choice. It should be a right.

When we see figures like public schools being underfunded by $1.8 billion over four years, we must consider the real-world implications. That's fewer resources for students who often need them most, less support for dedicated teachers, and missed opportunities for communities that rely on strong public schools as centres of learning and growth. However, it's important that we don't view this as an us-versus-them scenario between public and private schools. Both have their place in a diverse educational landscape. The real issue is ensuring that our funding models genuinely reflect our values and priorities as a society. #education #funding #policy