Hospital based Youth Work

The Police Fire & Crime Commissioner (PFCC), as part of the Violence and Vulnerability Framework, has commissioned Essex County Council Youth Service (ECCYS) to run a project in Basildon & Thurrock University Hospital’s (BTUH) A&E Department at their Basildon site, to support young people aged 13 – 19yrs (up to 25 with SEN), whilst presenting at hospital and once discharged back into their communities.

The project’s aim is to support young people using professionally qualified youth workers who will link with the wider community to support, signpost or refer onwards based on their needs. This could be utilising existing community groups e.g. youth clubs, physical activity groups (martial arts, boxing), music programmes or it could be more specific help such as; 1 to 1 support from the Hospital Youth Work team, attending a targeted youth club run by the Hospital Youth Work team or referring into statutory/local organisations including Social Care and North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) Mental Health Service.

Professionally qualified Youth Workers are based in BTUH A&E, five - seven days a week from 3pm-8pm. This was considered by the BTUH A&E staff as the peak times for young people presenting for various issues. Outside of these times ECCYS offer a referral and on call system.

For further information, contact: glenn.crickmore@essex.gov.uk