A new service is being launched today (28 May) to offer support to children and families where there is a concern about a young person possibly at risk of or being exploited by a gang.

Coventry City Council, West Midlands Police and local partners CATCH 22 and Positive Youth Foundation has been successful in bidding for the Supporting Families Against Youth Crime fund. The project will deliver a 3 tier approach to offer support to young people and families where there is a concern that a young person is possibly at risk of or being exploited by a gang. The project will:

1. Raise awareness amongst professionals, parents, and community members about gang-related issues including criminal exploitation of children; raise awareness amongst school-aged children and young people about gang issues and ways to seek help to avoid being involved in gangs.
2. Provide young people on the periphery of gangs or involved in gangs with mentors to help them move away from gangs and enable them to achieve better outcomes; and
3. Provide targeted whole family work for some young people and their families.

You can find the screening tool at www.coventry.gov.uk/pycscreeningtool

A screening tool must be completed for each young person where there are concerns. Completed screening tools are to be sent to: ChildexploitationSPOC@coventry.gov.uk

If you would like advice please contact: Lisa Gunstone via: Lisa.Gunstone@coventry.gov.uk or, Georgina Kell via: Georgina.Kell@coventry.gov.uk

Please be aware this is not an immediate response service and you may not receive a contact back on the same working day. If you are concerned that a child or children are at risk of immediate harm or that a crime has been committed against a child or children, it is your responsibility to take appropriate action to ensure that all children are safeguarded: Coventry MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) Email: MASH@coventry.gov.uk Tel: 024 7678 8555 and/or West Midlands Police on 101 or 999.