Steve's helping youths to avoid a life of crime (From Warrington Guardian)

Steve's helping youths to avoid a life of crime

THE fight against youth offending and anti-social behaviour in Crewe and Nantwich has been helped by the creation of a new organisation.

Steve Parker, from Nantwich, is the co-ordinator of the Youth Inclusion and Support Panel (YISP), which has been created to work with eight to 13-year-olds who are at risk of anti-social or offending behaviour.

The 24-year-old, who has previously worked for a Manchester children's home and the Probation Service, believes that the panel will benefit every resident in the borough.

He said: "The main aim of the project is to reduce the number of children in the borough that enter the criminal justice system.

"If youngsters enter the system at a very early age, they can easily become repeat offenders, and due to their circumstances, they then find it difficult to get out.

"The work we do will benefit everyone, because nobody wants to see young offenders causing trouble in our towns, and we can help to eradicate that."

The YISP, which is one of three projects in the Cheshire Early Prevention Programme, consists of several agencies in the borough which identify potential and current offenders.

The agencies, including the youth offending team, social services, youth services, schools and a number of other statutory and voluntary organisations, inform Mr Parker of children they believe are at risk.

Then one of Mr Parker's colleagues, Emma Pearson, conducts a full assessment of the youngster's key requirements.

The panel then devises a personal plan of support and intervention for the youngster, which can include one-to-one direct work with Mrs Pearson, family support and guidance, support with everyday learning and access to local activities and projects.

Mr Parker explained: "If you take a young person who could offend because they have nothing to do for example, we can link them with the fire service's cadet scheme or the Prince's Trust so that they have activities to get involved in.

"If the youngster needs counselling, we can fast-track them through the counselling services, and Emma, our key worker, has eight years of experience, so she has the knowledge to assess a child's needs.

"Another benefit of this project is that we get to work with entire families if that is needed.

"If the parents lack parental skills, we can provide courses for them, and we can also work with brothers and sisters who may also be at risk."

Mr Parker said that the panel also invites referrals from parents who are concerned their children could be at risk of anti-social or offending behaviour.

For more information, call the YISP on 01270 219370.