In research conducted by young people, the London Peer Action Collective has revealed 11 feelings that young people believe need to be understood, with eight protective solutions to help tackle youth violence.
Giving young people a voice
A new report looking at school exclusions and youth violence has revealed key findings and solutions for how schools can act as a protective factor against youth violence.
Created by the London Peer Action Collective (PAC) – a group of young people based in Haringey who are working towards a safer community through peer research and social action projects – the report addresses the question: “What support helps young people before, during, and after a form of school exclusion to be protected from youth violence?”
It shares key insights gathered from over 70 young people into understanding risk factors of youth violence, such as why young people felt exclusions could increase a young person’s likelihood of becoming involved in violence.
If a student is about to get excluded, maybe if they were asked, oh, 'what do you want to happen?' instead of just saying, 'oh you're excluded', I think obviously the student would give a reasonable thing. They wouldn't want to be excluded.
Research participant
Practical solutions to support young people
The report recommends eight solutions for schools, both in order to protect young people from becoming involved in youth violence, and to support those who are involved.
These range from the importance of supporting young people holistically, to not labelling young people involved in violence as a lost cause or excluding them.
The report goes on to look at how schools decide on exclusions (including everything from temporary in-school to permanent to managed moves), the long-term impacts, and the effects that a student’s sense of belonging at the school can have.
They also recommended considering and addressing the student’s wider environment, and that students have access to regular conversations with somebody who can support them, including with their mental health.
One research participant said: “There should be a meeting between the leading team in a school and the student, but not in a way where the student is being basically maybe put on trial or something similar to that, but just a genuine conversation about what led to the behaviour and what they can do to help them.
“Because obviously if a student is about to get excluded, maybe if they were asked, oh, what do you want to happen? Instead of just saying, oh you’re excluded, I think obviously the student would give a reasonable thing. They wouldn’t want to be excluded.”
Understanding feelings around youth violence
The team’s analysis of the data revealed 11 feelings around exclusions that young people believe need to be understood.
“I think when you get excluded, especially if you feel it’s wrong or whatever, even if you don’t feel like it’s wrong, I think the first reaction is you’re quite angry,” commented another research participant.
The feelings and solutions in the report are laid out in ‘cut-out cards’, which can be used by professionals in relevant sectors to explore and co-create solutions for support in schools.
The report also shares an ideal roadmap for a ‘better’ exclusions journey based on the findings from young people reflections on being a peer researcher, and what’s coming next for PAC London.
The Peer Action Collective (PAC) is funded by the Youth Endowment Fund, the #iwill Fund (a joint investment between The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and the Co-op.
As the local Delivery Partners in London, McPin and the Peace Alliance work to support young people to take the lead in designing and delivering peer research and social action.
Read more about PAC on the McPin project page, and visit the PAC website.
