Changing Behaviour, Changing Lives
THE negative behaviour of young people is being tackled in two new projects on Teesside.
Tees Valley Housing has been chosen by the Youth Task Force to pilot two schemes based in the area, targeting crime, anti-social behaviour and homelessness.
The Middlesbrough-based Intensive Intervention Project is one of only 20 across the country and targets youngsters aged from ten to 19 who are involved in destructive activities.
The scheme aims to reduce the number of people entering the youth justice system, boost school attendance and reduce teenage pregnancy.
A 'triple track' approach is used, consisting of different types of tough enforcement, non-negotiable support and better prevention. Each young person is assigned a key worker who works with partner agencies to help make a change.
Doug Ross, Managing Director of Tees Valley Housing, said: "We are pleased to have been chosen to pilot this project, which uses our well-established partnerships to ensure the best possible outcome for these youngsters.
"The scheme will not only make a difference within local communities, it will also work towards meeting the national agenda surrounding crime and anti-social behaviour."
Councillor Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Community Protection, said: "The vast majority of our young people are law-abiding and make an invaluable contribution to our communities.
"However a minority become involved in crime and anti-social behaviour and that can ruin their lives and the lives of those around them.
"A robust approach like this - with an effective combination of prevention, support and enforcement - can help to turn those lives around before it is too late.
"We welcome this initiative and will follow its progress with interest."
Tees Valley Housing has also been chosen to develop a Youth Crime Prevention Family Intervention Project, based at the company's Family Intervention Project in Redcar and Cleveland.
The initiative targets families with a number of support needs, who have children aged between five and ten years old showing early risk factors such as poor attendance or disruption at school.
Three workers will each work with about five families each, providing intensive support to families and co-ordinating the partner agencies needed.
Redcar and Cleveland Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, Councillor Lynn Pallister, said: "I fully support this much needed project.
"Providing early intervention through family support staff who can build up a more trusting relationship with families will ensure partner agencies can focus resources and support more effectively.
"I believe over time this project will make a real positive difference to the lives of young people, their families and the communities they live in."
The Middlesbrough-based Intensive Intervention Project is one of only 20 across the country and targets youngsters aged from ten to 19 who are involved in destructive activities.
The scheme aims to reduce the number of people entering the youth justice system, boost school attendance and reduce teenage pregnancy.
A 'triple track' approach is used, consisting of different types of tough enforcement, non-negotiable support and better prevention. Each young person is assigned a key worker who works with partner agencies to help make a change.
Doug Ross, Managing Director of Tees Valley Housing, said: "We are pleased to have been chosen to pilot this project, which uses our well-established partnerships to ensure the best possible outcome for these youngsters.
"The scheme will not only make a difference within local communities, it will also work towards meeting the national agenda surrounding crime and anti-social behaviour."
Councillor Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Community Protection, said: "The vast majority of our young people are law-abiding and make an invaluable contribution to our communities.
"However a minority become involved in crime and anti-social behaviour and that can ruin their lives and the lives of those around them.
"A robust approach like this - with an effective combination of prevention, support and enforcement - can help to turn those lives around before it is too late.
"We welcome this initiative and will follow its progress with interest."
Tees Valley Housing has also been chosen to develop a Youth Crime Prevention Family Intervention Project, based at the company's Family Intervention Project in Redcar and Cleveland.
The initiative targets families with a number of support needs, who have children aged between five and ten years old showing early risk factors such as poor attendance or disruption at school.
Three workers will each work with about five families each, providing intensive support to families and co-ordinating the partner agencies needed.
Redcar and Cleveland Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, Councillor Lynn Pallister, said: "I fully support this much needed project.
"Providing early intervention through family support staff who can build up a more trusting relationship with families will ensure partner agencies can focus resources and support more effectively.
"I believe over time this project will make a real positive difference to the lives of young people, their families and the communities they live in."
