New scheme to aid at-risk youngsters

4.29.35pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Aug 2006

Vulnerable young people jeopardising their futures through crime, anti-social behaviour or exclusion from school will be the target of a new project spearheaded by Richmond Council.

The Youth Inclusion and Support Programme, to be launched in September, will work with the borough's most at-risk youngsters.

It will see the Council, police, health partners and youth agencies join forces and take rapid action to help young people overcome their problems.

Under the voluntary programme, eight- to 17-year-olds will be referred to a multi-agency panel for assessment. The panel will identify areas of concern and devise a tailor made six-month action plan for each individual.

This will include counselling, mentoring, anger management sessions or meetings with substance misuse experts. Activities will be arranged during school holidays and in the evening in term time.

And for those excluded from school, attempts will be made to get them back into education, training or employment.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Serge Lourie, said:

"This excellent programme will see the most vulnerable children and young people get the right support from the right professionals at the right time.

"Early intervention and rapid action is vital in preventing youngsters veering towards crime, drugs or homelessness and we can only achieve this by working with our partners.

"Richmond Council is committed to increasing investment in youth and giving every young person in the borough the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

"This initiative is excellent news for those most in need of our support."

The police, safer neighbourhood teams, youth agencies and families can refer young people to the programme.

The Youth Justice Board will provide funding for two full-time employees to work with the programme.

For more information about the Youth Inclusion and Support Programme, please call 020 8943 8194.