Presented by Lemos&Crane, producers of Fear and Fashion, with support from City Bridge Trust, Trust for London (formerly known as City Parochial Foundation), Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, John Lyon’s Charity and Wates Foundation

Any questions? Phone 020 8348 8263

Context

This action-orientated conference will review and analyse a range of initiatives and approaches undertaken in recent years to combat the use and carrying of knives by young people. Featuring case studies and in-depth discussions with experienced practitioners representing different agencies and sectors, and debate with policy makers on priorities for future work with young people, the conference will identify:

• What’s worked in helping young people to stop carrying and using knives – in awareness-raising, building confidence and positive identity, and changing offenders’ behaviour
• Principles and approaches for on-going work with young people to deter and prevent knife carrying, and their involvement in gangs and related crime and anti-social behaviour
• Challenges for policy to balance law enforcement and public protection with preventative approaches and the support needed for young people at risk of offending.

The Fear and Fashion Awards 2010 for outstanding practice in helping young people to stop carrying and using knives will also be announced at the conference. A total of £5,000 prize money to be won. Find out more here.

Key themes

• Awareness-raising in schools and communities
• Building confidence and positive identity among young people
• Empowerment and positive role models
• Use of creative arts
• Working with young offenders and those at risk of offending
• Materials and approaches used by Youth Offending Teams
• Restorative justice and restorative approaches
• Gangs and groups
• The use of amnesties, knife arches and stop and search
• Prosecution and sentencing of knife crime involving young people
• Support models for young people at risk of offending.

Programme contributors

• Gerard Lemos, partner at Lemos&Crane, and author of Fear and Fashion: The use of knives and other weapons by young people
• Frances Done, Chair, Youth Justice Board for England and Wales
• Honor Rhodes, Director of Strategic Development and Special Projects, Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships
• Gary Stephenson, Director of Restorative Solutions and former Chief Superintendent, Lancashire Constabulary
• Andrew Winters, Education Representative, Lancashire Youth Offending Team
• Dr Rachel England, Team Manager, Liverpool Youth Offending Team
• Daniela Varley, Director, Recre8
• Anulka Varley-Griffin, Artistic Director, Recre8
• Patricia Mutombo, Team Manager, Birmingham Youth Offending Service
• Colin Duff, on his findings from an evaluation of the Fear and Fashion report
• Detective Superintendant Darren Curtis, Metropolitan Police Service Violent Crime Directorate
• Sean Simms, Working with Men, on awareness-raising work with primary and secondary schools in London
• Gina Nowak, Tam McBride and Johanne Miller, on the Scottish Government's No Knives, Better Lives programme.

Testimonials

Testimonials from Lemos&Crane’s conference on helping young people to stop carrying and using knives (1 October, 2009)

• "I just wanted to extend my thanks for a great day. It left me inspired and full of hope" - Community Warden, City of Westminster
• "Excellent opportunites for interacting with other delegates" - Team Manager, Camden Council
• "Excellent day, well presented and organised" - Assistant Youth Justice Officer, Surrey Youth Justice Service
• "Thanks so much for a very informative day" - Youth Citizens Co-oirdinator, Bournemouth YMCA

Who should attend

• Local authority representatives from:
  • Children and young people's services
  • Youth Offending Teams
  • Education teams advising on citizenship and PHSE
  • Youth work teams
  • ASB, community safety and crime reduction teams
• Leaders of projects for young people from community, voluntary or other specialist agencies
• Representatives from police forces leading on safer schools partnerships and other initiatives for engaging and working with young people
• Social landlord staff with responsibility for community involvement and development and youth work
• Head teachers and staff leading on citizenship and PHSE in secondary schools and pupil referral units

What you’ll get from the day

1. Assessment of best practice in helping young people to stop carrying and using knives
2. Principles and approaches that can be applied to on-going work with young people to deter and prevent knife carrying and involvement in gangs and related crime and anti-social behaviour
3. Knowledge of tools and materials that can be used with young people to raise awareness of knife-related crime and its impact
4. Inspiration and insight from experienced practitioners representing police services, schools, YOTs and community-based organisations
5. A policy framework for supporting young people at risk of offending and for preventing the consequences of youth-based crime
6. Networking opportunities with practitioners and policy makers from range of backgrounds and sectors working with young people

Programme