Who should I contact if I am concerned about a young person?
If you are concerned about a child or young person and believe they may be at risk or harm, neglect or abuse, please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 020 8227 3811 (working hours). If out of hours please call the emergency duty line on 020 8594 8356. If you think that a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm please call the police on 999.
If you need some preventative support for your child or family including information on what other community based help is available, please contact the Early Help Advice on 020 8227 5600. This service is available during work hours.
Can I report a crime involving a young person anonymously?
You can submit a completely anonymous form to www.fearless.org/en/give-info. No one will know you have sent this information. Fearless will do all they can to support the young person(s) at risk. They are available 24/7. If you think that a young person is at immediate risk of harm please call the police on 999.
Who do I speak to if I believe a young person is in immediate danger?
If you believe a young person is in immediate danger, please always call the relevant emergency services via 999.
Who can I speak to if I need further support with my child?
The council commissions and works with a number of local organisations that provide services to specific groups of young people, such as those at risk of exploitation and serious youth violence, LGBT+ groups and more.
Box Up Crime
Box Up Crime work with young people at risk of having their lives ruined by crime and motivate them to recapture their aspirations.
They offer a universal offer via their Instagram page with live workout videos and boxing training. They also run a targeted programme for those at risk of crime, this includes 1 to 1 online mentoring and support, as well as group work. Box Up Crime also offer a targeted project R.O.A.D.S with enterprise skills and mentoring.
Box Up Crime are also running a 9am-9pm daily hotline for those in need – please call 07972685945 or email info@boxupcrime.org
Spark2Life
Spark2Life provide support for young people on the streets of Barking and Dagenham. These young people are often at risk of involvement in crime, exploitation and serious youth violence. Spark2Life detached youth workers are a positive force on the streets and will be out in Barking and Dagenham throughout the summer months.
Visit the website www.spark2life.co.uk.
Youth at Matrix Workers (YARM)
Youth at Risk Workers provide support for young people facing issues outside of the home, such as involvement in gangs and youth violence. They give assistance to those most at risk of crime or entering the criminal justice system.
YARM workers have been delivering online sessions for young people virtually, including a focus group on: Consequential thinking, peer association, social media and prison awareness.
Please email: Yarmteam@lbbd.gov.uk
Lifeline Community Projects
Lifeline offer support services for young people with mental health needs and at risk of serious youth violence. They provide positive diversionary activities and person-centered mentoring for their cohort of young people.
Lifeline have been delivering their SW!TCH Lives Serious Youth Violence and SW!TCH Minds Mental Health programme throughout lockdown, with online mentoring and physical case work where necessary.
Lifeline can be reached on 020 8597 2900 or info@lifelineprojects.co.uk
WDP SubWize – Young person’s substance misuse support
Subwize provide support for young people with issues surrounding substance misuse. They try to prevent young people from engaging in substance misuse and risk-taking behaviours by enabling young people to develop boundaries, emotional resilience and self-esteem. This service is for young people up to the age of 20 (with a transitional 21-24 group).
They have a full online offer to support young people, including 1 to 1 assessments and hidden harm work for families and carers.
Reach them on 0300 303 4613 or info@subwize.wdp.org.uk
Peer Support: Mental Health Needs
The group provides support for young people who suffer from anxiety and mental health needs. They have been providing phone support, WhatsApp group support, and contact groups with parents and carers where necessary.
Please contact heather.mckelvey@lbbd.gov.uk or grace.kihu@lbbd.gov.uk if you would like to find out more.
Future M.O.L.D.S Communities
Future M.O.L.D.S work with young people who otherwise face barriers accessing education, services, and health. They seek to identify personal barriers and provide young people with strategies to overcome them. This for young people aged 12-18.
Please contact: info@futuremc.org
Arc Theatre: Raised Voices
Raised Voices work with young people with challenging issues that affect them today, including body image, mental health, domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Arc Theatre are working with a current cohort of members but plan to welcome new referrals from September.
Head to www.raisedvoices.info for more information.
Do we have a system in place to monitor young people who are excluded from school and sent to an alternative provision – How do we follow up to prevent them from getting lost in the system?
Permanent and fixed term exclusions are a last resort sanction. Our local data demonstrates that Barking and Dagenham schools are inclusive as it has one of the lowest rates of exclusions in London and nationally. The council commissions a number of providers including Mayesbrook Park school to deliver alternative provision.
All vulnerable pupils who are at risk of being excluded are tracked by their school or education provision, working together with council officers to identify potential risks and put the right support in place for young people and their families. Education colleagues also have close links with the Youth At Risk workers in the Youth Offending Service.
Do we get notified when at-risk young people are moved into the borough?
It is the responsibility of the local authority in which the young person was previously living to finalise any assessments and pass on details of open children’s and adolescent’s service cases. Information will be shared between the relevant partners to ensure the young person is safeguarded from the risk of harm, violence, and exploitation.
Would we consider setting up or do we have a hotline number for young people to report peers carrying knives or dealing anonymously?
In partnership with Fearless, we encourage young people to submit any reports to www.fearless.org/en/give-info. This is 100% anonymous; no one will know who sent the information. Fearless will then act on this information to provide the support needed for that young person to have the best chance of living a crime-free life.
What services are available for children/young people in danger of being a victim of criminal exploitation?
The council has a newly recruited Youth at Risk Matrix (YARM) intervention programme developed for young people at risk of crime or displaying offending behaviours. The YARM team work to prevent young people from becoming victims of criminal exploitation in partnership with Children’s Services, police, and schools.
The council also works with young people at risk of offending behaviour through the Youth Offenders Service (YOS). The YOS offers support for young people who have been convicted, received out of court disposals, are in court, or have been sentenced to custody. The YOS also works with parents and victims of crime.
We are also lucky to work with a host of community organisations who work with young people who are at risk of, or engaged in crime. This includes organisations such as Box Up Crime, Lifeline, and Spark2Life.