Young People’s Projects

PLEASE NOTE: We are not currently accepting new referrals for our Young People’s Projects. Please check back soon as this page will be updated when we are once again accepting referrals. If you wish to speak to us about an existing referral, please email slf@ntu.ac.uk. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Our Young People’s Projects work with young people (aged 12-18) of all genders who have shown harmful sexual behaviour. Where possible we will provide advice and guidance regarding children and young people of any age who are not suitable for our projects.

Young Peoples Circles and Paired Mentoring

In 2015, the SLF became increasingly aware of the need for Circles of Support and Accountability for young people who have demonstrated sexually harmful behaviour – both as a result of national statistics which show that “between 23-40% of all alleged sexual abuse of children and young people is perpetrated by other young people, mainly adolescents” (Statistics on Child Sexual Abuse, NSPCC, April 2014) and actual requests to the charity for support for young people. In October 2015, the SLF received funding from the Worshipful Company of Weavers to scope out and run Young People’s Circles.

The Apollo Project

In July 2018 the SLF secured funding from HMPPS to develop an innovative new young people’s project named Apollo. The intervention model draws upon our experience delivering Young People’s Circles of Support and Accountability, the Aurora Project therapy service, and working with adults who have been convicted of sexual offences.

Advice and Guidance

Although our projects are only suitable for young people aged 12-18, where possible the Young People’s Coordinators will assist with advice, guidance and resources for children and young people of any age.

Please see our advice, resources and guidance page for helpful resources.

If you would like to talk about a child or young person before referring or for advice and guidance please email us at SLFHMPWhatton@justice.gov.uk.

Young people with sexually harmful behaviour

Young people eligible for our projects are likely to be particularly vulnerable. Some will have been abused or neglected themselves and are therefore categorised as both survivor and perpetrator, meaning that working with them effectively is particularly complex. Support packages will be tailored to individual needs and last for around 12-18 months. Many of the factors which lead to harmful sexual behaviour in young people are similar to those impacting on adults who have offended sexually and therefore we will utilise the expertise and experience we already have from working with this client group. However, what differs from most adults that sexually offend is that children and adolescents are still developing, both physically and psychologically, so well-targeted interventions can be extremely effective in terms of changing attitudes and behaviour, and so, preventing more victims.

Referral Criteria

Any young person of any gender who:

Is aged 12-17 years at the time of referral
Is living anywhere in Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire
Has shown significant or repetitive sexually harmful behaviour
Needs support in managing their sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviours
Is willing to engage voluntarily with us for up to two years
Consents to the referral being made and assessments being shared
Has a key professional(s) involved who will be staying involved whilst we complete initial assessments and processes

When a young person is referred to us we will assess them to determine whether they are suitable and which project they would most benefit from.