THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT PROGRAMME REDUCING EXCLUSIONS IN LONDON
Publication: Children & young People Now
Author: Fiona Simpson
Thursday, March 2, 2023

A therapeutic intervention programme designed to reduce rates of exclusion in London has supported hundreds of children at risk of involvement in youth violence, according to an evaluation report.

The Therapeutic Intervention for Peace (TIP) programme is led by youth organisation Power the Fight and funded by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). The therapeutic support is delivered through one-to-one mentoring and specifically-designed therapy sessions for 140 young people in two schools and one alternative provision.

An evaluation of the project, which has been funded by the VRU since August 2021 finds that it “has supported hundreds of young people, teachers and families in tackling exclusions and improving engagement and attendance at schools in south London”. Power the Fight’s programme also worked with teachers and staff and provided support and guidance for parents and carers.

The programme encouraged increased inclusivity in classrooms as well as improved well-being among participating staff, the report adds. As part of the programme, 200 teachers and staff took part in cultural sensitivity training, “resulting in a greater understanding of young people and reported increased inclusivity in classrooms”, it states.

Lib Peck, director of London’s VRU, said: “Both evidence and listening to young people shows that being in school makes children safe, it makes them feel safer and education unquestionably improves their life chances.

“Interventions carried out by skilled coaches show the value of a trusted adult relationship in a young person’s life and how that support can often be life-changing. The support they can also provide for teachers and staff in helping young people deal with trauma and mental ill health is unparalleled.”