Young people involved in gangs helped into training and work
19 August 2014
Jobcentre Plus has been working with 2,100 young people in 21 London boroughs as part of a government initiative to help those involved in gangs or susceptible to gang culture into training and work.
Tue, 19 Aug 2014
Jobcentre Plus has been working with 2,100 young people in 21 London boroughs as part of a government initiative to help those involved in gangs or susceptible to gang culture into training and work.
A statement from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) said that 958 young people have started training and education courses, 357 have been helped to find jobs and 12 have set up their own businesses.
Jobcentre Plus advisers have been working closely with a number of bodies including the Metropolitan Police, local authorities, voluntary organisations and the Probation Service to identify the young people who are in gangs or at risk of joining one.
Efforts are also being made by the DWP to improve data sharing among health workers, welfare officers, police and other agencies to prevent young people joining gangs.
Funding for the gang advisers comes from the existing Jobcentre Plus budget. Operating in boroughs such as Barking, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets, the advisers often work out in the community away from the Jobcentre.
In a statement, Omobola Odutayo, an adviser at Jobcentre Plus in Tottenham, said: “Before we can help these young people find education, employment or training, we have to gain their trust.
“Many of them really want to turn their lives around, but they haven't had the right help before – they've been written off and are often wary of outsiders – they can even face reprisals from their former associates if they try to leave gang life behind.”
A statement from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) said that 958 young people have started training and education courses, 357 have been helped to find jobs and 12 have set up their own businesses.
Jobcentre Plus advisers have been working closely with a number of bodies including the Metropolitan Police, local authorities, voluntary organisations and the Probation Service to identify the young people who are in gangs or at risk of joining one.
Efforts are also being made by the DWP to improve data sharing among health workers, welfare officers, police and other agencies to prevent young people joining gangs.
Funding for the gang advisers comes from the existing Jobcentre Plus budget. Operating in boroughs such as Barking, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets, the advisers often work out in the community away from the Jobcentre.
In a statement, Omobola Odutayo, an adviser at Jobcentre Plus in Tottenham, said: “Before we can help these young people find education, employment or training, we have to gain their trust.
“Many of them really want to turn their lives around, but they haven't had the right help before – they've been written off and are often wary of outsiders – they can even face reprisals from their former associates if they try to leave gang life behind.”
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