VRU Evidence Hub

The VRU’s custody-based interventions (Divert and Engage) sit outside of the criminal justice system. The programme embeds youth workers into police custody to support young people at a time of crisis. MOPAC Evidence and Insight Unit are delivering an impact evaluation of the Divert service.

The VRU's Hospital Based Youth Work programme provides clinically embedded youth workers to engage with young people impacted by violence or exploitation presenting at Major Trauma Centres and Accident & Emergency Departments across London. This midline evaluation of the programme was carried out by MOPAC Evidence & Insight, considering implementation and exploring practitioner and service user perceptions of the service.

The University of Bath were commissioned by London's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) to research how to improve student' inclusion across London's schools. Research shows that to be included, students must feel a sense of school belonging. The report captures students' perspectives on what they need to feel a sense of belonging and safety in school, as well as views of education leaders, practitioners and parents. The research informed the development of our Inclusion Charter.

IRIS (Identification and Referral to Improve Safety) is a GP based, domestic abuse training support and referral programme run in 8 London boroughs. This evaluation report explores implementation of the programme, with focus on the initial three boroughs to mobilise.

The VRU's Maia & Lift programme provides community-based safe spaces, mentoring and skills support for young women and girls aged between 9-25 years old. The programme developed practice-led approaches including trauma-informed, gender-informed, culturally-aware and strengths based. This report provides an evaluation of the pilot programme.

In light of the increased amount of time young people spent online during the pandemic, the VRU commissioned an in-depth exploration of online harms looking at 'acceptable' use, regulation, and the experiences of marginalised young people online. The report sets out 7 key recommendations and young people's calls for action.

Two research projects to better understand the links between online social media content and offline violence, and engage with young people to identify strategic opportunities for prevention.

The Well Centre is a free and confidential primary care service for 11-21 year olds in Lambeth and Wandsworth. The core elements of the Well Centre are that it is General Practitioner (GP) led, youth friendly and responsive to young people’s needs. The process evaluation was funded as part of the VRU's Local Authority Research & Evaluation Fund.

Project 10/10 works with young people using an authentic youth-led approach and a peer-referral outreach model of delivery. This VRU funded report was delivered by a consortium led by Camden & Islington NHS Trust and provides insight and learning into community-based crisis intervention and trauma support for young people through the lens of the 10/10 project.

The Bambu Project aims to provide trauma-informed, early intervention support for children and young people (CYP) impacted by domestic abuse. It does this through direct one-to-one support and multiagency work, improving the system of support around the child. The process and impact evaluation is carried out by Cordis Bright.