Kirklees Together

We have received a funding boost for the way we support vulnerable children and young people across the district.

Where is the investment coming from?

A successful bid to the national Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) means more investment will be made in protecting children who are at risk.

How much is the investment?

The exact amount is still to be confirmed, but four organisations including ourselves will receive a share of more than £2million to expand their support for 10 to 14-year-olds who are involved in, or could become involved in, criminal activity.

What is our aim?

The aim is to support young people in moving away from risk by making positive changes in their behaviours and their lives.

What is YEF?

The YEF is a new initiative to tackle youth offending by intervening early. Its goal is to focus on those who are most at risk of involvement in youth violence, diverting them away from becoming serious offenders.

Cllr Viv Kendrick, Kirklees Cabinet member for Children, said:

“Kirklees is similar to many districts in needing to work with vulnerable young people and support them to make the right choices.

We want children and young people to achieve and have the best start in life and we are pleased that the Youth Endowment Fund is investing in our work. It will help us to support individuals and families and make a huge long-term difference.

This area of work, which is called multi-systemic therapy, uses a family and community-based approach. It increases parenting skills, increases young people’s engagement with education and training and promotes positive activities for parent and child.

This reduces offending or anti-social behaviour, supports family cohesion and tackles underlying issues. We already have specialist teams who carry out this work, but the new funding will help us to reach even more families and transform even more lives.”