The Synergy Network team met with Rt Hon Chris Philp MP (Crime and Serious Violence) Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire on 30 November 2023. The meeting was a result of the letter sent by the Synergy Network to the Home Office in October 2023 and explored potential collaborative solutions to address the deeply concerning issue of Serious Youth Violence.
The meeting outcome was positive, with the Minister sharing the government’s strategy in terms of the public health approach. Synergy Network asked for a rebalancing and higher profile for prevention, education, and the health strands of the public health approach alongside the criminal justice aspect. The Government restated the role of the Youth Endowment Fund team and Synergy Network raised the shortage of qualified youth workers and the status of the role.
It was agreed that joint work will continue to ensure the voice of the community is heard at the policy and strategic levels.
