Agenda item

Report to note.

The Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Education and Culture submitted a report which asked Members to note the progress made on partnership work between SHiFT, a national charity that aimed to change practice to improve outcomes for children and young people involved in, or at risk of involvement in, crime, and Middlesbrough Council since the previous report to the Executive on 5 March 2025.

SHiFT, founded in 2019, had a proven track record of breaking cycles of crime for vulnerable children and young people. The Middlesbrough partnership had provided intensive one-to-one support for 27 high-risk children, many of whom had previously been placed in costly out-of-area accommodation. Positive outcomes included three children returning home, two moving to supported accommodation locally, and reductions in missing episodes and arrests compared to the previous year. The programme had cost approximately £11,000 per child for an 18-month intervention, representing good value for money given the complexity of needs. National evidence had shown significant impact, including a 41% reduction in offences, 58% fewer missing episodes, and 51% fewer arrests, with economic analysis indicating £8 saved for every £1 spent. The annual review had highlighted improvements in education engagement, reductions in exclusions and arrests, and strategic learning shaping cohort two, which was scheduled to commence in January 2026.

Executive expressed its thanks to those involved in the SHiFT programme and discussed the need to learn from the programme model. The Mayor brought Executive’s attention to the fact that there had been a 68% reduction in suspensions and permanent exclusions and that the second cohort of children would begin in January 2026.  

OPTIONS

No other options were submitted as part of the report.

AGREED that Executive note the information contained within this report.

REASONS

Founded in 2019, SHiFT had a track record of delivering exceptional outcomes that broke the destructive cycle of children and young people caught up in, or at risk of involvement in, crime.

SHiFT Middlesbrough provided 1-1 intensive support for twenty-seven of the most vulnerable children and young people in Middlesbrough. Children and young people identified for SHiFT cohort one were those for whom, despite the efforts of other professionals, ‘business as usual’ responses had not been able to make the difference needed and concern about their wellbeing was high and escalating.

At the start of SHiFT’s work, over a quarter of the children were accommodated in high-cost placements, which were often a long way from home and not having an impact on improving children’s circumstances. At the time of the report was submitted three children had successfully returned home to reside with family, two children had returned to Middlesbrough and resided in supported accommodation and the others continued to be supported out of area.

From the 27 children and young people who were identified and invited for SHiFT support as part of cohort one in June 2024, most had engaged well, building trusting relationships with their SHiFT Guide. A recent End of Programme Report had been presented to the local SHiFT Board evidencing the positive impact on safety and wellbeing as a result of this work, including a reduction of missing episodes and a reduction in arrests compared to the 12 months prior to SHiFT involvement.

Scoping for cohort two was underway and work would begin with 27 new children and young people in January 2026.

The total cost of the partnership to Middlesbrough Council was approximately £11k per child for an 18-month programme of intensive individual support, which included working with everyone who was identified as important in that child’s world. This represented good value for money given the highly complex needs of this vulnerable group, and the intensity and expertise of the work SHiFT was delivering.