Mark Whitehead 14 February 2019

Pilot project helps a third of youths quit ‘county lines’

Specialist support helped nearly a third of young people in a pilot project to quit 'county lines' involvement with drugs, according to a review.

An evaluation of work by the St Giles Trust charity in Kent found 31% of children and young people stopped the activity, which involves young people being groomed by gangs to transport drugs across different counties, within a year.

A further 54% were in the process of ending their involvement with the gangs.

Other positive outcomes included the young people entering employment, re-engaging with education, improved family relationships, reductions in episodes of children going missing and better physical and emotional health.

But it noted that all the children being supported were excluded from mainstream education and recommends a review of how education providers work with children with challenging behaviour.

St Giles Trust chief executive Rob Owen said he was grateful to Kent police and crime commissioner Matthew Scott for continued funding of this work.

'It can be extremely challenging to leave a county line so the fact we were able to help 31% of the young people referred to us make a sustained exit within a year is a testament to the project’s impact and its further potential.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner