Youth Safety First works in partnership with statutory services, education settings, and third‑sector organisations to design and deliver high‑impact training that addresses the real risks facing children and young people today. Across the country, we are seeing increasing challenges that include reduced communication skills, lower school engagement, rising violence and truancy, growing mental‑health concerns, and a heightened vulnerability to criminal and sexual exploitation. Our programmes are built to respond to these realities with honesty, expertise, and practical solutions.

We create engaging, evidence‑informed sessions that connect with even the most challenging young people. Our facilitators are skilled at building trust, encouraging participation, and supporting meaningful behaviour change. Recognised for our impact and value for money, Youth Safety First is a sought‑after partner for organisations committed to safeguarding, early intervention, and positive youth development.

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Case Studies:

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Rhondda Cynon Taf, Youth Engagement and Participation Service: Urban Survival.

Commissioned by RCT YEPS to deliver a comprehensive education and training programme across Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The project began with an intensive full day of training for the Youth Engagement team, equipping staff with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to identify, prevent, and respond to exploitation.

Following the staff training phase, we rolled out our Urban Survival session to young people across the region. Over the course of the programme, we delivered engaging, age‑appropriate workshops to more than 1,600 students, raising awareness of:

• The realities of criminal exploitation

• County lines operations and recruitment tactics

• Risk‑taking behaviours and early warning signs

• Knife crime: what it is, why it happens, and the consequences

• How to respond safely if someone is injured, including when and how to seek emergency help.

Our sessions combine real‑world scenarios, trauma‑informed practice, and practical safety strategies to ensure every participant leaves with a stronger understanding of personal safety, informed decision‑making, and where to turn for support.

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Testimonial:

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" I just wanted to say thank you so much for today’s session. It was genuinely really informative and pitched perfectly for our learners,  you explained everything in a way that was clear, relatable and on their level, which makes such a difference. We’d absolutely love to have you back in the future" Coleg y Cymoedd

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Cardiff Council & The Vale of Glamorgan Council: The Connect Programme Addressing Violence Between Girls

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Following a reported 25% rise in girls presenting to A&E in Cardiff with injuries linked to peer‑to‑peer violence, we were commissioned by the Cardiff Council Community Safety Team to design and deliver a targeted early‑intervention programme for secondary school‑aged girls involved in, or at risk of, violence in school or the community.

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The resulting Connect programme is a structured six‑week intervention focused on reducing conflict, strengthening emotional regulation, and improving communication skills. Following successful delivery across Cardiff, the Vale Youth Service added 3 schools and To date, more than 130 girls have completed the programme, with 100% positive feedback from both students and teaching staff.

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Programme Focus

Addressing the underlying drivers that heighten conflict and increase the likelihood of violence, including:

• Communication breakdowns and unhealthy peer dynamics

• Emotional management and responses to stress

• Online behaviours that escalate tension and fuel confrontation

• Decision‑making in high‑pressure or high‑risk situations

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Data‑Driven Insights

Analysis of participant feedback and assessment data revealed a consistent pattern: breakdowns in relationships with mothers were a significant predictive factor in emotional dysregulation and subsequent challenging behaviour.

This insight directly informed the development of the YSF Bounce Programme, a complementary intervention designed to support mothers and daughters in rebuilding trust, strengthening communication, and restoring confidence following domestic violence or family adversity.

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Impact

The Connect programme has become a key component of Cardiff’s preventative approach to youth violence, offering girls a safe, supportive space to understand their emotions, navigate conflict, and build healthier relationships both online and offline.

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