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Data from the Young People's Programme

As part of our young people's programme, we were collecting data about young people experiencing relationship abuse. Thanks to the information, we've learnt more about the profile of young people and what works to keep them safe. The programme has now come to an end and below you can access the final data report. 

More of our work with young people

We will continue to collect data about children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse through our Insights outcome measurement programme. You can read more about the children and young people's Insights here

In January-March 2017 we ran our Spotlight on Young People and domestic abuse. Visit the Spotlight page for the findings, practice tips and policy report.

Final data from the young people's programme

National picture

Date range January 2014- April 2015
Number of case engagement forms 497
Number of case closure forms 307
Number of practitioners submitting data 22

Selected findings from the report are available below. Access the complete young people's programme data report

Caseholders supported nearly 500 young people, most of whom were experiencing high risk, intimate partner violence.

  • More than half (56%) of the young people’s cases were referred to a multi-agency risk assessment conference (Marac). This indicates the high risk nature of the abuse.
  • The vast majority of the young people were experiencing current abuse. Almost half had also experienced abuse in the past.

The majority of the young people supported were referred by children’s social care or the police, despite a wide range of agencies being involved in the young people’s cases.

  • Prior to the referral, 93% of young people were known to at least one agency, including Camhs, education welfare and sexual health services. Few young people were referred by these agencies.
  • The caseholders facilitated a multi-agency response. While young people were engaged with YPVAs or other specialist practitioners, more agencies were involved in their cases in order to provide support.

One in four young people had children, and one in ten young women were pregnant.

  • A third of the young people supported were either pregnant or had children of their own.
  • The majority (78%) of young parents had involvement with children’s social care, and for one in four (24%) a child protection plan was in place.

Mental health issues were a concern for the majority of young people supported, yet few accessed specialist support.

  • Two in three young people supported were experiencing depression or anxiety. Emotional wellbeing was the most frequently recorded area of concern at both case engagement and case closure.
  • Caseholders supported the majority of young people with their health and wellbeing. A minority of young people accessed help from specialist mental health services.

Many young people are exposed to domestic abuse in the family home and some were exhibiting abusive behaviours towards others.

  • Almost half of the young people supported had been exposed to domestic abuse in their family home and 17% were harming other people.
  • This highlights the importance of completing a thorough risk assessment in order to properly understand each young person's experiences of domestic abuse and tailor support accordingly.

Young people are safer after receiving support from a YPVA or other specialist practitioner. Many are no longer experiencing abuse.

  • On average, young people were supported for 12 weeks and received 12 contacts where the caseholder provided help and interventions.
  • For three-quarters of young people, the caseholder recorded a reduction in risk since case engagement.
  • The young people themselves reported improved wellbeing at case closure: 89% said that they felt safer and 99% said that they would be confident in accessing support in the future.