GMCA643 Support service for Girls &Young women who are at risk of gang related youth violence/sexual exploitation/abuse/modern-day slavery

The Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit would like to adopt a public health approach to developing a programme of support for girls and young women by implementing a range of interventions (primary, secondary, and tertiary), which seek to build resilience and move them away from offending.

This service must be offered within Oldham, Bury, Rochdale and Tameside, however, there is no expectation for full time caseworkers to be permanently embedded in each area unless this is directed by an identified need. However, the successful bidder will be expected to work closely with existing services/ multi agency teams as appropriate, particularly the GMVRU, the Youth Justice Service, Probation Service, children's services, complex safeguarding, Greater Manchester Police, and services within the community.

The Provider must have arrangements in place to contact, and where appropriate meet girls, and young women face to face to provide support, ensuring that it is a safe environment for both the worker and the young person they are working with. An effective lone-working policy must be in place.

Funding does not allow for dedicated premises costs. The Provider must have access to their own existing premises and / or utilise community and stakeholder space.

The aim of the service is to deliver a mentoring service for Girls and & Young Women, aged 14-21, who are at risk of serious gang related youth violence, and exploitation which seeks to build resilience, and supports them to develop positive identity formation which will enable them to think independently, and thus reduce their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. Based on individual need the activities may include peer mentoring: art and cultural activities; vocational and sport activities.

Earlier this year the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (GMVRU) received confirmation of multi-year Home Office Serious Violence funding. The Violence Reduction Governance Board has subsequently agreed to invest £88,000 of this funding to commission a provider to develop and deliver a mentoring service for girls and young women, aged 14-21, who are at risk of serious gang related youth violence, criminal, and sexual exploitation and abuse, and modern slavery, from contract award until 31st March 2024, It is expected that the successful provider will develop and deliver a programme of support for girls and young women that will encompass:

• Interventions that are trauma responsive and address the complex needs of girls and young Women who are at risk of serious gang related youth violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and modern slavery. • A suite of activities to support these vulnerabilities, through one-to-one mentoring and group activities. • Links in with local statutory services and local community providers, with a focus on relationships, sport/cultural and positive activities

This opportunity can be accessed at: https://www.the-chest.org.uk/