6858 WAY beacons: a multi-agency initiative to support young people in times of crisis in a district general hospital

Objectives The level of knife crime and other violent behaviours within our local area is of significant concern, and we have seen an increase in children and young people attending the hospital with injuries related to gang involvement and other risk-taking behaviours. Those attending hospital with such injuries are often already known to local authority youth justice and safeguarding services but there are challenges in how best to support this vulnerable group. Moments of crisis, such as a hospital attendance following a violent injury, can offer 'reachable moments' where children and young people may be more open to support and mentoring which can help bring about positive change in their lives.¹ Following discussions between the hospital's paediatric, emergency department, and safeguarding teams, and the local authority's youth justice service, it was agreed that a support service based within the hospital could provide a way to reach children and young people at moments of crisis, offer initial support and signpost to ongoing opportunities in the community. Methods Funding was obtained by the local authority from the UK Home Office's Safer Streets fund² to support the creation of a detached youth work programme for the hospital. An engagement group of local young people was formed to help decide on the service name, colour scheme, and initial branding. The youth worker is employed through the third sector which gives some independence from the local authority and NHS. Results The WAY Beacons project launched in August 2023, with a youth worker ('Beacon') present in the hospital three times a week, meeting with young people attending the Emergency Department and Paediatric Assessment Unit and offering support during moments of crisis. In the first two months of the project, the Beacon has met with 13 young people, aged between 11 and 17 years of age. 100% of these young people said they found meeting with a Beacon helpful, and hospital staff have given positive feedback about the service. Conclusion We have successfully launched a multi-agency detached youth provision within a district general hospital, which is having a positive impact on the lives of children and young people. The service has been well received by patients and staff alike. There are plans to expand the service to cover up to age 25, recognising that adolescence, and its associated challenges, do not end on turning 18. References Nick Axford, et al. Engaging youth at risk of violence in services: messages from research (Children and Youth Services Review144:106713), January 2023 Safer streets fund, UK Home Office Policy paper, 25 October 2023