Serious Youth Violence: ‘More than a city problem’
Ofsted, the CQC, HMICFRS and HMI Probation have published a report that finds serious youth violence is more far-reaching than many adults realise, affecting children all over England and leaving a serious impact on communities.
- Extent and impact of youth violence more serious than many adults realise.
- Children as young as 11 carrying knives ‘for protection’ because they feel unsafe.
- Action needs to be taken to support children most at risk, including those with special educational needs
This is not just a ‘city problem’ and, shockingly, the inspectorates found that children as young as 11 are carrying knives for their own ‘protection’. In 2023, the Youth Endowment Fund surveyed 7,500 children in England and Wales, finding that 1 in 4 either had been a victim of violence or had perpetrated violence themselves. Almost half (47%) had witnessed violence in the last 12 months and 60% had seen ‘real world’ violent acts on social media.
The report sets out the findings from 6 joint targeted area inspections focused on how local partnerships of children’s social care, health services, schools, the police and youth justice services work together to respond to serious youth violence. Inspectors tracked the experiences of hundreds of children across England and spoke to many families affected by serious youth violence.
