Ian Carter&Kierra Brand Essex Police Rainer

Background Devised by Essex Police in partnership with Essex Youth Offending Service in response to police identified need Successful bid to The Children’s Fund, Essex. Contract awarded to Rainer following tender process Launched on 1 st September 2004 & further developed through partnership of Essex Police, Rainer & Children’s Fund, Essex With support from Essex Youth Offending Service, Essex Social Care, Essex Education Welfare Service, Basildon Women’s Refuge & Braintree Pathfinder Children’s Trust

Aim Rainer RAP aims to divert young people from future offending by helping them re-establish a positive lifestyle and reach their full potential “A pioneering way forward to address issues affecting young people, who are currently outside of, or fall below the threshold for, statutory provision.”

RAP objectives Provide an independent outreach worker to rapidly assess the risk to children & young people Offer short term intensive practical support to the family at a time of crisis Work individually with young people to develop realistic, measurable action plans and support them in working towards these goals Develop the personal, social and coping skills young people need to keep out of trouble and to succeed in education Establish agency partnerships to signpost young people and families to the appropriate long term support services

Service locations Basildon Rayleigh Harlow Braintree

Criteria for referral Living with domestic violence Receiving a police Reprimand Engaging in offending behaviour when aged under ten years Truanting or at risk of exclusion from school Independent youth outreach workers in police stations, providing rapid assistance and support to children & young people aged 5-13 years and their families, who become known to the police through;

Principal referrers Referrals are received from:  Police  Education Social Workers  Women’s refuge  Other Voluntary Organisations

RAP Statistics Over 500 referrals in the first year;  16% refused to engage Of the successful referrals:  59% for domestic violence  23% for police Reprimand  11% for truancy/risk of exclusion  7% for offending behaviour under 10

Impact 70% of parents/carers noted significant improvement in young person’s behaviour 80% noted improvements in self esteem and self confidence 90% noted improvements in how the young person is getting on at school 100% noted improvements in the young person’s general level of happiness

Opening a referral Receive a referral Contact parent Complete an Initial Assessment Form Contact any professional involved with family (e.g. social services) Design program to what young persons needs are Start sessions

Anger management Behaviour Bullying Emotions and feelings Law (what the law is and how this affects them) Relationships Self esteem Setting targets What we look at

Independent Evaluation Discussions with staff Telephone and face to face interviews with young people Parental impact questionnaires Telephone interviews with agencies Questionnaire for agencies

Agencies & professionals’ view Quick response Responds in a crisis Works directly with young person Provides support for whole family Flexible about where they work Draws together agencies Early intervention

Feedback from parents/carers “Absolutely brilliant, can’t believe the difference, got me through.” “Different child, made a big difference, not the child he was.” “If it wasn’t for Rainer RAP…..supported us 100%.” “I think it is brilliant to have an organisation for our young people that experience these situations.” “Wasn’t sure at first but came to realise they were there for help and advice and not judgement.”

What young people want from RAP “to make me happier” “to help me and have someone to talk to” “help me so that I am not scared” “just some help because of what happened with dad”

How young people describe RAP fun happy enjoyable trying to help teaching me not to be worried being nice to everyone helpful