The Youth Offending Team’s crime prevention projects are designed to equip these young people with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to build purposeful futures.

The YOT provides a range of interventions for first-time and persistent offenders. The diversionary projects are either school-based or work with young people at risk of offending or being excluded from school and are delivered on either on a one-to-one basis or in group sessions.

What is the Youth Inclusion and Support Programme?

The Youth Inclusion Programme (YISP), is funded by the Youth Justice Board and Sandwell Partnership. It is targeted at youths aged between 8-13 years.

What are the YISP's aims?

The initiative aims to address local issues such as community safety, and youth crime and seeks to offer a range of activities to attract young people into positive lifestyles.

This initiative also aims to improve local neighbourhoods and enhance communities by undertaking practically-based schemes, such as the creation of sports areas and safe playgrounds.

The programme helps to improve the social environment through initiatives incorporating drug awareness, anti-bullying, family, literacy and presenting skills.

Who does the YISP target?

It targets young offenders and those at risk of committing crime through outreach work, mentoring schemes, peer education and involvement in positive activities which would benefit themselves and the local community.
Project activities give young people the opportunities to:

• play a visible and creative role in their environment.
• gain new skills and enhance employment prospects.
• become involved in local initiatives relevant to themselves and their families.