FEATURES INChildren’s services and violence prevention
Children's ServicesThe Youth Endowment Fund’s Children’s Services and Violence Prevention practice guidance sets out seven evidence‑informed recommendations to help local areas strengthen their responses to extra‑familial harm and reduce violence involving children. Alongside the guidance, we’ve produced a series of short videos featuring members of our Strategic Advisory Group, including a sector leader, researcher and Youth Advisory Board member who helped shape the work.
These conversations explore what effective safeguarding looks like, how young people’s voices can shape change, and what reforms are needed to build systems that protect children both inside and outside the home.
Protecting children from serious violence
A discussion exploring what children’s services need to get right to prevent serious violence. The group reflect on the role of multi‑agency safeguarding, the importance of centring children’s needs, and how lived experience strengthens practice.
The Prioritising Protection report
Carlene summarises findings from the Prioritising Protection report, highlighting the inconsistent landscape of multi‑agency responses to extra‑familial harm and the need for reforms that embed extra‑familial harm from the outset.
Safeguard children from EFH as a core strategic priority
Jahnine discusses why EFH is not consistently treated as a strategic priority across local areas. She highlights the importance of leadership, multi‑agency working, meaningful child and family voice, and intelligent use of data. When these elements align, children receive consistent, proactive support; when they don’t, systems become reactive and vulnerable children slip out of sight.
Reflection on safeguarding children in care
Nio shares why the guidance’s recommendation on children in care resonates with him. He reflects on disparities in care experiences, how early signs of crisis are often misinterpreted, and the risks of criminalising distress.
Strengthen multi-agency capability to respond to EFH
Carlene explains the evolution of MACE panels, the risks of duplication, and the conditions under which multi‑agency panels add real value — particularly when focused on themes, locations and welfare‑led practice.
Young people shaping change
A conversation about why young people must be meaningfully involved in shaping the systems designed to protect them. The speakers highlight how youth insight challenges assumptions and improves safeguarding responses.
Contextual safeguarding and children in care
Professor Carlene Firmin explores how contextual safeguarding challenges traditional assumptions about care. She explains why children affected by extra‑familial harm may still be unsafe when moved into care, and why creating safety in local environments is essential.
The role of young people in shaping services
Youth Advisory Board member Nio reflects on why young people’s insights must guide policy and practice. He discusses the importance of questioning whether services truly work for young people and the need for coordinated, accountable support.
Proactively safeguard children in care from violence
Jahnine discusses the ongoing criminalisation of care‑experienced children and the gaps in transitional safeguarding that leave them vulnerable as they move into adulthood. She highlights the importance of intersectional understanding, trauma‑informed practice, and sustained protection.
Supporting care experienced children responsibly
Jahnine reflects on the relational isolation faced by many care‑experienced children and the urgent need for systems to respond with care rather than criminalisation. She emphasises that enduring relationships should be rooted in love, responsibility, and protection – and calls for stronger, more compassionate practice across Children’s Services.
How racial disparities shape Black children’s experiences
Dr Jahnine Davis discusses how racial disparities continue to shape Black children’s experiences in Children’s Services. She highlights the impact of structural harm, stereotypes, and inconsistent anti‑racist practice on referral pathways, trauma recognition, and perceptions of resilience.
Visions for change
Contributors share their vision for the future, including: consistent safeguarding pathways, well‑resourced support, anti‑racist practice, and multi‑agency systems that work together to meet children’s needs and keep them safe.
Hopes for the future
Nio explains why he joined the Youth Advisory Board and what he hopes to see change in the next five years — from valuing lived experience as evidence to improving multi‑agency working and ensuring every young person has a trusted professional.