A £1.9m project studying safeguarding risks faced by young people outside their home will look at innovative work being carried out by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC).
The Innovate project is exploring new ways of combating safeguarding risks such as sexual and criminal exploitation, peer-on-peer abuse and gang affiliation.
Researchers will be analysing trauma-informed practice implemented by BFfC within its service delivery. This recognises the impact traumatic experiences in childhood may have on the life of a young person and emphasises resilience and recovery.
The study, led by the University of Sussex and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, will also look at the work of five other organisations across the country.
The focus will not just be on whether and how different approaches lead to beneficial and effective services in the six organisations but on what factors stimulate innovation in social care and enable it to flourish.
Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We are excited to be selected as one of the partners in this study which are at the forefront of developing new ways of supporting children and young people.
“Brighter Futures for Children is implementing the trauma-informed approach as an innovative way of addressing the needs of young people experiencing risk or harm in Reading. We are looking forward to working with the research team and sharing how this approach is being successfully put into practice at BFfC, schools and other partner organisations.”
Find more information about the The Innovate Project at: https://theinnovateproject.co.uk/
View the press release from the University of Sussex at: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/newsandevents/?id=55292