THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for South Wales, Emma Wools, has spent a morning with Action for Children’s groundbreaking Violence Prevention Unit (VPU) and services for criminally exploited children and young people in Cardiff.
The PCC met staff working in the frontline of these critical services including peer mentors who faced similar issues in their own lives and who young people relate to. VPU staff outlined the processes that see young people referred from A&E in Cardiff when nursing staff suspect a vulnerable person has presented with injuries sustained as a result of criminal exploitation.
The visit also included a discussion of the innovative multi-agency partnership approach with colleagues from South Wales Police, Cardiff Council, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Probation Service which shares information and spots signs of exploitation so the charity’s specialists can intervene. During its time, the collaboration has helped divert young people away from the devastating impacts of involvement in criminality and violence as a result of exploitation.
Action for Children’s director in Wales, Laurie Ryall, said: “We were delighted to welcome the PCC to our service in Cardiff and are grateful for their support in enabling this critical support and intervention to be delivered to vulnerable children and young people.
“We are very proud of the amazing progress many of the young people we support have made and pleased that we are able to work together to safeguard and reduce their risk from criminal exploitation.
“Relationship-building has been central to our approach, with our peer mentors and their lived experience of criminal exploitation able to support and guide with integrity and authenticity despite incredibly challenging circumstances.
“We provide rounded and tailored support to each young person, and it works. They see another way is possible and that a safer and more fulfilling life is achievable.
“Publication of the Jay Review last year only reveals that the risks and challenges our young people face are growing, and that services like ours are central to offering them hope of a better future.”
The Rt. Hon Alun Michael OBE JP, Action for Children Ambassador and former PCC for South Wales attended the visit and added: “Action for Children is breaking new ground by directly supporting children and young people who have been exploited by criminals.
“This work is providing very real insight into how criminals use a model of exploitation that is frighteningly effective to draw children and young people into criminal activity. My priority as Ambassador is to help spread that understanding and to engage public bodies and government at local, regional and national level in combatting this very real threat to our children.
“Emma Wools has played a vital role in tackling violence in Cardiff and across South Wales and her deep interest in the work of the Action for Children team in Cardiff is testament to their work. She is providing active support to the multi-agency approach so desperately needed by the children and young people that Action for Children supports.”
Action for Children’s services for criminally exploited children are innovative intervention projects for young people aged 11 to 18 years with the VPU service funded by the South Wales PCC. The services identify young people involved in, or at risk of involvement in serious organised crime, addressing the vulnerabilities that led to their involvement and diverting them towards more positive pathways. Action for Children operates similar services around the UK in North Wales, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Cardiff and Newcastle.
