Liverpool has been chosen as one of the cities to receive targeted funding, which will support young vulnerable people who are at a risk of violence.
The aim of the programme is to keep children engaged in education, attending lessons and off the streets.
The new scheme, backed by a £30m fund, is a part of a countrywide rollout of 10 ‘SAFE’ (Support, Attend, Fulfil, Exceed) taskforces in ‘hotspot’ areas, where serious youth violence is most common.
The Department for Education (DfE) says these will be led by local schools, bringing headteachers together to support vulnerable young people, and avoid them becoming involved in county lines and criminal activity.
In Liverpool a £3,700,650 investment will help focus on improving pupils’ attendance, reducing the likelihood of them being permanently excluded from school and keeping them focused on their education, according to the Department of Education.
Andrew Poole, the head teacher at Everton Free School in Liverpool, will be in control of the project.
The scheme was initially announced in September.
Following recent events, including the attack on Ava White, Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson is making people aware of how the funding will help address youth violence: “We welcome the funding that has been committed to Liverpool for the next three years.
“Our schools know their own pupils the best.
“Empowering them to lead the SAFE Taskforce and to commission their own services means that our vulnerable young people will have the right support put in place for them.”
Children and Families Minister Will Quince added: “Keeping young people engaged with their education has never been more important.
“These taskforces are helping school leaders and vital support services work together to support some of the most vulnerable young people across the country.
“Combined with our ongoing SEND Review, the independent review of children’s social care and our investment in alternative provision and other specialist support, this government is levelling up opportunities for all young people to help fulfil their potential and achieve better outcomes.”
