News and opinion

A mentor can be one of the most positive role models in a young person’s life. By building a strong, trusting relationship with a suitable adult brings many emotional, social and developmental benefits – may of which directly reduce the risk of children’s involvement in violence  How mentoring helps prevent youth violence  Mentoring can significantly…

At YEF we are committed to building the best and most reliable evidence on what works to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by funding high quality, cutting edge, research. We are pleased to announce that, as a result of our latest call for secondary data analysis (SDA) projects,…

Knife crime in the UK has dominated headlines in recent months, sparking widespread concern. While the statistics are shocking, they only scratch the surface of a deeper, more complex issue.   To truly understand and reduce knife crime, we must look beyond the numbers. Tools like our Core Indicators of Violence dashboard, delving into knife crime…

Our recent Leading Effective Multi-Agency Partnerships for Supporting Children at Risk of Violence conference, which we delivered in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau, was aimed at senior leaders in the children’s services sector across England and Wales. Chaired by our Executive Director – Jon Yates, and supported by Dez Holmes, Director of Research in Practice and…

As a youth worker I used to regularly deliver workshops using UK rap and drill music to engage with young people at risk of exclusion and violence. This ranged from printing out lyrics to dissect with groups of secondary school students, to holding recording studio sessions in youth clubs, to chairing philosophical debates and sparking…

The impact of violence on young people   Violence and the fear of violence has both physical and emotional impacts on children and young people, perhaps more acutely than many of us realise.  67% of teenage children are concerned about becoming victims of violence and 22% say that the anxiety has taken a toll on their…

On Adolescence  Over the weekend, without taking a break, I watched all four episodes of Adolescence, Stephen Graham’s Netflix mini-series about the arrest of a 13-year-old schoolboy for murdering one of his classmates and its impact on his life, family and community.   I was gripped, partially because it is a rare thing for British television…

Employment and access to workplace skills are vital for young people, offering more than just financial independence. They provide a sense of purpose, structure, and an opportunity to develop essential life skills. Engaging in meaningful work enables young individuals to cultivate communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for personal development and future career…