Influencing the Youth Justice Sector

The Story of Influencing the Youth Justice Sector in Essex

Criminal justice is one of the sectors that the Essex LDP is aiming to work within and there is a strong evidence base that sport has a positive impact on reducing youth offending in particular. Forging a space on the Violence and Vulnerability (V&V) board has been central to the LDP’s influence in this sector. This occurred through building a relationship with the person who ran the board through a series of meetings. Initially this involved presenting the role/benefits of physical activity in violence prevention and giving examples of organisations who were already using physical activity to keep young people at risk of offending safe.

The LDP was able to gain a place on the board because we were constantly working to be part of conversations and demonstrate that our work is not just about money but that we have a role to play. Relationships have been key to the process; it was important for the relationship to be collaborative, rather than transactional. In addition to good relationships, having knowledge was important because when the board recognised what the LDP had to offer, they were able to break down barriers and support us in sharing knowledge. It was also helpful that there were individuals on the board who enjoy sport and already understood the benefits.

Working with the V&V Board has also provided insight and direction to ensure that any projects that the LDP funds within this sector have a clear focus and need.  For example, the Essex LDP has recently invested in a 3-year, pan-Essex project in collaboration with National Lottery Community Fund and Active Essex Foundation. This project aims to:

1. Continue influencing the youth justice sector at a systemic level in Essex to change policy and increase the access to training and resources that aid the understanding and application of how to use sport to prevent vulnerable young people from offending and violence
2. grow a large network of locally trusted organisations across Essex who are quality guided to use sport effectively to divert young people away from crime and violence,
3. create a strong evidence base (with support from Loughborough University) of proven blueprints and approaches that increase positive life outcomes for vulnerable young people that can be replicated at scale across Essex