This is a fascinating new blog from my @CrestAdvisory colleague @JessicaLumley1 using data and case studies from @Redthreadyouth . There are lessons we can draw from serious youth violence that could help agencies to take a more effective preventative approach 1/6 https://twitter.com/CrestAdvisory/status/1316305557360386049

These young people lead complex lives & have often experienced childhood trauma. They have frequent interactions with range of professionals from a young age, but these interactions are often of a poor quality & actually increase their vulnerability by marginalising them 2/6

Their experience of trauma drives behaviour which is misunderstood as apathy or rudeness yet visible vulnerabilities are missed. They defy stereotypes of either 'perfect victims' or hardened gangsters. They lead complicated lives surrounded by violence inside & outside home 3/6

Govt cuts, aggressively managed support service thresholds and a concentration of funding to pay for the increased numbers of children in care means that despite us holding more data and knowing more about vulnerable young people the support they receive is deteriorating 4/6

So what can we do? We already spend huge amounts of money on these young people but we do so ineffectively. They need trauma informed interventions from professionals who can hold their risks - and help to manage their vulnerabilities. They need to be in school or college. 5/6

The case studies in this blog are difficult to read but it's important that we confront the reality of the lives these young people live. If we continue to pretend that serious violence is about perfect victims and irredeemable gangsters then we'll never crack it. 6/6