Oxfordshire Targeted Youth Support Service

Statement of Service

We work with young people preventatively to reduce the escalation of statutory involvement and negative impact on their lives. 

Our work has the aims of enabling increased aspirations and resilience by working alongside social and emotional needs. 

We do this by: 

• Targeted Group Work in Schools and Communities: We deliver short-term, targeted group programmes for young people aged 11–18, focusing on themes such as violence against women and girls (VAWG), positive masculinity, social media awareness, and identity exploration. These sessions are designed to create safe, inclusive, and non-judgemental spaces where young people can reflect on their values, relationships, and experiences. These programmes are delivered in schools and community settings and are designed to build resilience, promote positive choices, and reduce future risk.
• One-to-One Support: Young people can access bespoke one-to-one support for up to 12 weeks. A youth worker will co-create a personalised plan with the young person, focusing on their social and emotional development, helping them to engage with wider support networks and make positive life choices. This support is flexible and can take place in schools, homes, or community spaces.
• Community-Based Responses: We respond to incidents of violence, anti-social behaviour, or trauma in communities through detached and outreach youth work. This includes interventions aimed at stabilising situations and supporting young people and families affected. We also work with communities to co-develop youth provision and promote youth voice in shaping local responses.

Our Approach:

• Youth Work Built on Relationships: Youth work is a relational practice. The connection between the youth worker and the young person is central to the work. Through this partnership, both parties learn and grow. Engagement is voluntary, and the young person is an equal partner in shaping the support they receive.
• Early Intervention and Prevention: Our aim is to step into a young person’s life at the earliest opportunity to prevent the escalation of social and emotional challenges. We focus on reducing the risk of future serious violence, exploitation, and involvement in the criminal justice system.
• Supporting Positive Transitions: We support young people through one of life’s biggest transitions, from childhood to adulthood. Our work promotes active citizenship, emotional resilience, and the ability to make informed decisions that benefit both the individual and their community.
• Working in Partnership: We work closely with the voluntary and community sector, schools, health services, the police, and our internal Children’s Social Care colleagues to deliver joined-up support. We also offer consultations to professionals working with young people to help them navigate adolescent behaviours and access appropriate interventions.