The Safer School Partnerships (SSP) programme enables local agencies to address significant behavioural and crime-related issues in and around a school. A result of the YJB’s proposal to develop a new policing model for schools, the SSP programme was launched as a pilot in September 2002, and brought into mainstream policy in March 2006.
Initially, SSPs provided a focused approach to address the high level of crime and anti-social behaviour committed in and around schools in some areas – crime committed by and against children and young people.
Broader benefits have since been recognised by everyone involved, including improved community cohesion, a stronger sense of citizenship among children, and an increased quality of life and opportunities for young people, their families and the wider community around the school.
All schools involved in the Safer School Partnerships initiative have a police officer based in their school. The school-based officer works with school staff and other local agencies to:
- reduce victimisation, criminality and anti-social behaviour within the school and its community
- work with schools on whole-school approaches to behaviour and discipline
- identify and work with children and young people at risk of becoming victims or offenders
- ensure the full-time education of young offenders (a proven preventative factor in keeping young people away from crime)
- support vulnerable children and young people through periods of transition, such as the move from primary to secondary school
- create a safer environment for children to learn in.
Close working between police and schools is crucial to keeping children in education, off the streets and away from a life of crime.
There are now over 450 Safer School Partnerships operating throught England and Wales, with police officers and community support officers based in selected schools. A continued growth in the set up of SSPs is being demonstrated nationally as schools, police forces, youth offending teams (YOTs), health services and local authorities engage in this highly effective method of working. This is a joint initiative between the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the YJB and the Association of Chief Police Officers.
An evaluation of the pilot phase and the full evaluation report of Safer School Partnerships are both available to download from our publications area.