OFMDFM-Design & Delivery of the Belfast West Early Intervention Project (FCC)

Tender description

The Belfast West Social Investment Zone Steering Group has identified the following project as one of its 10 Strategic priorities. In fact the project has been prioritised as the number 3 ranked priority in the entire area plan. The Belfast West Early Intervention project will focus on working with young people in 6 key areas of the zone that are at risk of falling into or are already in the criminal justice system. The project will focus directly on those young people causing on-going anti-social behaviour, low level criminality, and those that are not engaged in any positive support interventions. The Programme will focus primarily on young people not in education, employment or training (NEETS) -but please note that this is not a training or education project. This project is about engaging these young people (and their families), gaining their trust and after a period of supported intervention, the project mentors will ensure that they are referred into appropriate local interventions that will help take them away from the criminal justice system. It is estimated that 180 young people (30 from each of the six target area) will receive a dedicated and focussed intervention, with further wrap around support for 720 young people (120 in each target area). Please note that this programme will target young people that are categorised as being ‘Very Hard to Reach’. This is not a general youth work programme. The project will work with local community partners, statutory agencies and the PSNI in order to target those young people hardest to reach in each area. This will also include detached work to engage directly with these young people within the community eg on the streets or within their homes (as appropriate and within best practice guidelines).