Oxford Brookes research fuels expansion of life-changing youth violence prevention scheme

A programme designed to help reduce the risk of school exclusion and involvement in violence among young people is expanding across the Thames Valley following research by Oxford Brookes University.

Dr Sarah Bekaert, Associate Professor in the Oxford Brookes School of Nursing and Midwifery, evaluated the Home Office-funded "Focussed Diversion" model, an early intervention approach that identifies young people at risk and provides targeted support.

Her evaluation examined the programme's effectiveness across five local authority areas: Bracknell Forest, Slough, West Berkshire, Wokingham and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. 

The findings have given the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley the evidence to support rolling out the programme across all nine regions in the Thames Valley as part of its Violence Prevention Partnership work

The evaluation found that 93% of parents engaged with the support offered, while participant retention throughout the programme was high. 

The programme begins with school staff who identify pupils who may need some support. They will refer them to focussed diversion youth navigators who work with the young person and their family for up to 12 weeks. 

“It starts with helping young people understand their behaviour and what’s fuelling it,” said Dr Bekaert. “From there, they are connected to another person or service. It might be a mentor, a support group, a theatre or dance class, or a swimming club. Somewhere they’re known, connected, and missed if they’re not there.” 

The programme's impact was reflected in feedback from schools working with the young people involved. One school reported fewer behavioural incidents among pupils taking part, with one previously disruptive pupil beginning to intervene to prevent physical altercations between other students. Staff also said the young people had engaged positively with the support and activities provided, describing the scheme as "great". 

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: “Thanks to the excellent work of Oxford Brookes University, we now have robust evidence to scale up this model across the Thames Valley. The findings have given us the confidence to invest further in an approach that is making a difference to children, young people and families, enabling support to be offered earlier and helping prevent problems from escalating.”

Dr Bekaert added: “This is about rapid response and relationship-based support. It is incredibly rewarding to see our research driving a rollout that will offer a lifeline to families across the Thames Valley.”

‘Focused Diversion’ is the latest in a connected programme of prevention research commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Violence Prevention Partnership and carried out by Dr Bekaert. These include a Hospital Navigator Scheme in A&E departments, Operation Paramount, which supports children of imprisoned parents, and Op Deter’s mentoring for young people who are in custody.

For more information visit the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Website.