Our beliefs
The following are 10 core beliefs that YEF holds about the world. These aim to be unchanging, grounded in our mission and motivating — internally to staff, and externally to audience members who engage with us.
1
VIOLENCE IS NOT INEVITABLE
Violence is preventable. No child is destined to commit or become a victim of violence. Like many social problems, violence affecting children and young people has fallen over time as we have got better at stopping it. It is possible – and we have a duty – to do what’s in our power to prevent it.
2
EVERY CHILD DESERVES A LIFE FREE FROM VIOLENCE
All children can and need to grow up without fear of harm. A child’s background should not make them more or less likely to become a victim or perpetrator of violence. Their household income, geographical location or ethnicity should not determine their life outcome.
3
ALL ADULTS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE
Protecting the safety and wellbeing of children is up to everyone, not just those working directly with or for them. All adults in society are responsible for safeguarding young people.
4
DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT VIOLENCE SHOULD BE INFORMED BY THE BEST EVIDENCE
Our guidance is based on the best evidence from across the world. We get behind interventions for violence that are supported by robust research, evaluations and advice. We fund, find and promote what works to keep young people safe. We do not guess or assume. Doing what works is not always popular or what feels good — it is our moral duty to children.
5
DECISION-MAKERS SHOULD UNDERSTAND AND REPRESENT YOUNG PEOPLE THEY SERVE
Those who have the decision-making powers to prevent violence affecting children and young people should do their utmost to understand their lived experiences and represent their perspectives. We at YEF aim to do both – and to push our partners to do the same.
6
PREVENTING VIOLENCE BEFORE IT HAPPENS IS BEST, BUT PREVENTING IT BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN IS ALSO NECESSARY
We prefer to prevent harm than react to it, and to support children rather than punish them. We focus on reaching young people before violence has happened, but we also work with those who are already involved in violence to stop it happening again.
7
MULTIPLE SECTORS ARE REQUIRED TO SOLVE SOCIAL PROBLEMS LIKE VIOLENCE
We all have a role to play in preventing violence affecting children — sometimes apart, sometimes together. From civil servants to frontline workers to parents, all parts are essential. YEF works across seven sectors — education, health, youth justice, youth sector, policing and neighbourhood — to support better practice and build better systems.
8
WE HAVE TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT THE DISPROPORTIONALITY OF VIOLENCE TO DELIVER ON REDUCING VIOLENCE
Violence affects some groups of children disproportionality. This is an injustice that we are committed to challenging at every opportunity. Holding ourselves to account for ambitious race equity goals and hiring, retaining and empowering a diverse team is right and essential for achieving our mission.
9
VIOLENCE IS TRAUMATIC AND SHOULD BE TACKLED WITH COMPASSION, RESPECT AND CARE
Victims and perpetrators of violence usually suffer from trauma. When violence occurs, families are torn apart, communities are wounded and society becomes worse-off. Everyone working on trying to prevent violence – our staff, young people, families, frontline workers – must be given the space, sensitivity and support to recover and keep going.
10
WE HAVE THE GENUINE ABILITY TO SIGNIFICANTLY AND MEASURABLY SHIFT THE DIAL IN PREVENTING VIOLENCE
We can and will play a significant, measurable part in mobilising the evidence and preventing violence affecting children and young people. We will do this by researching violence to understand it; finding, funding and testing what works to prevent it; and building a movement to end it.
The Youth Endowment Fund believes that no child should be affected by violence. We research violence to understand it; we find, fund and test what works to prevent it; and we are building a movement to end it.