Youth Safety Partnership ‘Empowerment in Action ’

1. Youth Safety Partnership‘Empowerment in Action’ Challenge for Youth The Terry Enright Foundation Northern Ireland Alternatives

2. What is The Youth Safety Partnership • A network of youth led community safety initiatives that will be developed in local neighbourhoods throughout Northern Ireland. • The aim is to: • Put young people at the heart of decision making in partnership with others • Empower young people to deliver practical responses to local needs

3. Identifying Need • 40% of population are under the age of 25. • 44% of crime victims are under the age of 25 • Traffic is the single biggest cause of accidental death for 12-16 year olds • 1 in 5 young people will experience mental health problems during adolescence • Over half of key stage 3 pupils have consumed alcohol • Young men under the age of 25 accounted for 61% of those prosecuted for robbery and 55% of those prosecuted for dangerous driving. • Levels of crime in N.Ireland are decreasing whilst the fear of crime is increasing.

4. Consultation with young people • Survey of 340 young people and 60 parents carried out in May 2008 • Young people rated domestic violence, bullying, drug dealing and joyriding as the most significant forms of anti social behaviour. • 63% of young people surveyed felt that parents not supervising children was a form of anti social behaviour. • Young people knew more about the services of youth centres and youth workers than any other group. • 58% of young people felt unsafe walking past a group of adults. • High police presence, neighbourhood community watch schemes and anti social behaviour orders were seen as not useful for the safety of young people. • 89% of young people surveyed would like to be involved in initiatives around the safety and well being of their peers.

5. “The engagement of children and young people in the design and delivery of services is essential to the safety of communities.” Government White Paper – “Strong and Prosperous Communities”(2006) “Involving young people in decision making requires different approaches. There is a danger with any consultation or involvement exercise that local government opt for those who are most easily reached…mainstream involvement and consultation mechanisms may not be enough to reach some groups especially young people.” The Joseph Rowntree Foundation – “Involving young people in local authority decision making.” “Communities may feel powerless but imposing or parachuting solutions is no solution at all It is hard to avoid the conclusion that developing social capital in disadvantaged communities is a slow delicate process involving sustained commitment and long term investment – both from agencies and from neighbourhoods.” Millie et al. – “Anti social behaviour strategies – finding a balance.”

6. Youth Empowerment Training and Education Family and Community Support Road Safety Health and well being Personal and community safety Environment Anti social behaviour Community conflict Generational understanding Service provision and delivery Key Strands and Themes of Model

7. The Proposed Model

8. Possible Pilot Areas • Woodvale, Shankill • Upper Springfield • The New Lodge • Inner East Belfast

9. Anticipated Outcomes • The empowerment of young people and families • An increase in volunteering and dialogue between communities • The development of Partnerships between communities, voluntary and statutory agencies AND young people. • The involvement of families, young people and communities in improving local environments • An increase in accountability and quality assurance of services for young people in the community. • The development of skills, lifelong learning and lifestyle choices through an increase in specific education and training initiatives. • Increased promotion of mental health and well being at all levels within the community. • Make a positive impact upon the levels of anti social behaviour and the fear of crime.

10. Questions…. • What do you like about the model? • What do you think are the challenges of this model? • In what ways would this model complement your work? • What existing structures do you think this model could feed into?