Early help key to reducing youth offending, Croydon review finds

The review by Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership assesses what more could have been done by agencies to prevent the young men, aged between 15 and 20 at the time of the deaths in 2021, from becoming involved.

It identifies common themes faced by the young people including early childhood trauma, domestic violence, substance misuse, school exclusions, county lines gangs and offending behaviour as well as positive factors such as trusted relationships with professionals.

• Improving agencies’ response to tackling serious youth violence

• Interview: Steph Roberts-Bibby, chief executive of the Youth Justice Board

The review, which took three years to complete, “highlights the importance of early help” both locally and nationally”, Croydon’s director of children’s services and chair of Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership Debbie Jones told CYP Now.

It also looks at the impact of the closure of Croydon’s adolescent social work team on young people at risk on involvement in violent crime in the borough.

It sets out 10 key principles based on the phrase “kids voices” researchers say are vital to reducing children’s involvement in violence, early identification of learning needs, preventing school exclusions, hearing family voices and the “tenacity from professionals in the face of non-engagement”.

A task and finish group has been set up to translate the findings into action across Croydon and support the council in sharing the lessons with other local authorities.

“Much has changed since these children first came to the notice of statutory services – but there is still a lot we can learn from these tragedies, not only in Croydon but across the country.

“We are sharing this review and its 10 key principles for reducing violence nationally. In Croydon, we will be working with the community to put in place an action plan and take this important learning forward,” Jones said.

• Read CYP Now’s full analysis of the report here.