My Hands Now
They used to say my name meant hope. A label I wore but never owned A slope too steep to climb alone I wore my vulnerability like a coat in the rain, A shield against the pain. Now as I walk the streets and the old calls echo I don’t give them the time of day I just walk away My story was once shaped by harm Until I was woken up by my alarm This life is mine From harm to hope And I choose hope
This powerful spoken word piece, written by Asha, a young Londoner who accessed our services and support, is a raw and moving reflection on trauma, resilience and the journey from harm to healing.
Watch Asha read her My Hands Now spoken word piece.
Growing Through the Cracks
Healing doesn’t follow a straight line.
For young Londoners who’ve experienced violence, exploitation, harm and trauma the path forward is often shaped by experiences that are isolating, complex and often invisible to others. The children and young people we support are navigating environments marked by high levels of violence, exploitation and trauma.
At Safer London, we work with young Londoners and families who’ve already experienced harm and trauma as a result of violence and exploitation. Each year, we support hundreds of children, young people and families who are directly impacted by violence, exploitation and other complex challenges - including criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation and violence, peer-to-peer harm, and violence in the community.
What Makes Us Different
- Long-term support: We stay with young Londoners for as long as they need us, offering stability and continuity.
- Community-based approach: We meet young people in spaces and places familiar to them - wherever they feel safe and comfortable.
- Specialist services: Our team includes professionals with expertise in trauma, supporting those with SEND and working with young Londoners involved in complex harms including harmful sexual behaviours and sexual violence, as well as specialist parent and carer caseworkers.
- Relationship-led practice: Trust is the foundation of everything we do - we build meaningful relationships that lead to real change. Our longer interventions and lower caseloads allow trust to grow and change lives.
- Collaborative working: We work collaboratively with young Londoners, parents/carers and across the often extensive professional network. The VESS London Alliance brings together diverse expertise to provide seamless, joined-up support providing greater impact to children, young people and families.
- Voice-informed approaches and solutions: We centre the voices and experiences of young Londoners in shaping our services and support.
The young Londoners we support are navigating environments marked by high levels of violence, exploitation and trauma.
In the past year, serious safeguarding concerns more than doubled - from 161 to 385 in just six months.
Over 220 of these involved urgent incidents, including young people being arrested for serious offences like GBH or possessing a weapon, being stabbed, or going missing for extended periods.
More than half of these cases involved significant harm or immediate danger and 1 in 7 related to serious violent crime in the community. This sharp rise reflects the growing severity and complexity of the risks young Londoners are facing.
At Safer London, we don’t just offer support - we create space for growth. Like roots finding their way through cracked concrete, young Londoners show us that growth is possible even under incredibly challenging and difficult circumstances. Harm and trauma can make it harder to thrive, but with the right support, healing can begin. This report reflects that journey - not polished, not linear, but real. It’s about growing through the cracks. It’s a story of resilience, steady progress and of hope taking root where harm once lived.
Who We Worked With
71% of the people we worked with were under 18 The majority - over two-thirds - of the young Londoners we supported last year were children. With 45% aged 16 and under. Many have experienced harm and trauma that most of us couldn’t even imagine. We must always see the child first. We worked with almost equal numbers of young women and young men We supported young Londoners across all areas of our support - including those who have experienced harm and those who have caused harm. Our approach is not divided into separate victim or perpetrator-based services - instead, we recognise the complexity of young people’s experiences and provide support that reflects their individual needs and circumstances. 25% children and young people we worked with had a formal SEND diagnosis However, this figure only reflects those with a formal diagnosis. The actual number of children and young people we work with SEND is likely much higher. Despite this need, just 35 were supported by our single specialist SEND caseworker, highlighting a significant gap in provision.
My worker was absolutely amazing, she always made me feel comfortable as the space was non judgemental.
She has helped me to see myself in positive way and to be more caring to myself. Even though the meetings were for a purpose it has been like catching up with a friend. I feel like the sessions we had around healthy relationships and boundaries have been really helpful. As now I know my boundaries and I'm more aware of their importance in relationships. I am now a kinder person to myself and able to identify what I like about myself. I feel like I am a stronger person.
Young Londoner who accessed Safer London support
Services and Support
Behind every moment of growth is a network of support.
At Safer London it’s the consistent and persistent presence of our caseworkers and specialist teams - the people who listen, guide and stand alongside young Londoners as they navigate harm, rebuild trust and find new ways forward.
My worker didn’t just help me but often gave advice to my friends and family when they needed help. I guess I’ve learnt that it’s ok what happened to me and to never give up despite how dark everything is.
Our caseworkers work across a range of specialisms, responding to the unique needs of each young Londoners. Whether it’s understanding the complex trauma of criminal exploitation, addressing violence in the community, or working with specific groups such as girls and young women, or parents and carers - each caseworker brings tailored expertise and a trauma-informed approach. Their dedication and commitment allow positive growth to happen in lives shaped by challenge and adversity.
It has made me understand and reflect more around my future and past, and made see what kind of person I can be.
My worker has been very positive and the sessions have been insightful. I have enjoyed all the sessions even the hard ones, as these have helped me to understand my past. Even though some conversations have been difficult my worker has always been respectful of my boundaries and allowed me to have a safe word in case the conversation has become too much, which has been really helpful. My worker will be that voice in my head when I question right and wrong decisions which will help make the right one. I feel more at peace with myself.
Young Londoner who accessed Safer London support
Service Spotlight
Neurodivergent young Londoners
Children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are more vulnerable to exploitation and violence.
From delayed diagnoses and school exclusion, to isolation and increased risk of harm, these challenges can make them harder to see, easier to overlook - and more likely to become targets for those who seek to exploit them. At Safer London, we understand that young people with SEND face unique and complex challenges - and they need specialist support to navigate them.
That’s why we have a dedicated SEND caseworker, providing tailored interventions and offering guidance, advice, and support to our wider team so they can better meet the needs of children and young people with SEND. This isn’t just about support - it’s about creating space for growth that is consistent, compassionate, and ensures no young person is left behind.
Kieran's Story - Creating Calm in Chaos
At just 18, Kieran was on tag after a violent incident, groomed and exploited by a younger peer. Kieran has autism and traditional support just wasn’t reaching him. When he first met his caseworker, Kieran barely spoke and struggled to retain information. Their first meeting in a busy café fell flat - the noise was too overwhelming. So together, they found a quiet spot with a garden where weekly sessions could take place. That simple change gave Kieran space to breathe - and to engage. Because of his autism, written forms and long conversations were tough. His caseworker adapted, taking the time to understand his additional needs and meeting him where he was at. They wrote goals on a whiteboard with visuals, resources were simplified without being patronising, they used short videos and headphones, and thinking breaks every few minutes. Over time, Kieran transformed - he became confident, vocal and started trusting the process. “I enjoyed working with Lee and he made things easy for me to understand,” Kieran said.
Safer London truly was there for us
Amandeep has been amazing to work with, from providing calm non-judgemental advice to pulling together our wider support network and making lots of helpful suggestions along the way. When things were bad with our daughter we really looked forward to those weekly calls for advice and the reassurance that things would get better or we would learn the skills to manage the situation differently. I learned I need to take better care of myself and try not to let situations become all encompassing.
Parent who accessed specialist family support
Service Spotlight
Families - parents & carers
Parents and carers are the most important protective factor in a child’s life – yet too often they feel judged, excluded, or unheard by the very systems meant to support them. When life becomes a whirlwind, they need space and support too. At Safer London, we believe parents and carers deserve understanding, not judgment. That’s why we offer a dedicated Families Service, providing one-to-one support for parents and carers – even if their child isn’t working with us.
Our specialist family caseworkers create safe, non-judgmental spaces where parents and carers can share concerns, build confidence and make sure their voices are heard in multi-agency settings. Through this service, we’ve supported 22 parents whose children were also receiving Safer London support - and reached 73 additional children and young people through family-based interventions, strengthening protective factors and creating positive change across the whole family network.
Amina's Story: Building Hope in Hardship
When Amina was referred to Safer London by Social Care, her 15-year-old son was at high risk of exploitation and they were on a Child in Need plan. Amina's caseworker provided tailored support, focusing on education around exploitation, peer influence and safety planning. This helped Amina feel more confident in managing risks and advocating for her children. With this confidence, Amina successfully pushed for her family to relocate out of London. Working closely with her caseworker and housing partners, she moved from hotel accommodation to temporary housing and eventually secured a large family home. Although her son initially struggled and was arrested after returning to London, consistent support helped him settle, complete his GCSEs and adapt to life outside the city. While challenges remain, Amina now has a foundation of safety and stability, supported by a network that understands and responds to her needs.
I am definitely a different person than I was before, mentally.
My support from Safer London was extremely helpful as well as comforting. The support workers I had ensured I was comfortable and motivated, as well as feeling positively pushed to take a small step towards a new me. I found working with them quite life-changing. I've learned how to control issues such as anger, self-hate and talking down on myself, as well as trying to find new distractions to finally be able to move forward in life.
Young Londoner who accessed Safer London support
Service Spotlight
Positive Relationships and Sexual Behaviours
Many of the young people we support are navigating complex challenges that often leave them on the margins. When a young person displays harmful sexual behaviours, stigma and limited specialist support can make them harder to see and easier to overlook.
At Safer London, we believe all children and young people deserve understanding, not judgment. That’s why we created our Positive Relationships and Sexual Behaviours (PSRB) service - offering early, trauma-informed interventions that help young Londoners build insight, develop healthy relationships, and make positive, lasting change. To make sure our support is inclusive, we have a dedicated SEND caseworker, providing tailored interventions and guidance for neurodiverse young people and those with additional needs.
Watch this video of Service Delivery Lead Nabeela, talk about the PRSB service
Ryan's Story: Building Trust and Understanding
Ryan, 14, was referred to Safer London by his school after making a sexual gesture toward a female student, following a three-year pattern of harmful sexual behaviour. The referral highlighted Ryan’s vulnerabilities - increasing isolation, an unstable home life and missed mental health appointments. At Safer London, the priority was to build trust and create a safe, non-judgemental space for Ryan. His caseworker, Rob, used games and ice-breakers to engage Ryan and explained the service at his pace, reassuring him he could pause or stop anytime. As trust grew, Rob introduced discussions about the law and the impact of sexual harassment, using practical examples like a railway station poster listing inappropriate behaviours. Ryan reflected on these and their effect on others. Over time, his behaviour stabilised. School staff noted a dramatic improvement, with one teacher saying: “It’s like two different Ryans.” At closure Rob celebrated Ryan’s progress, and Ryan shared: “I’m grateful that I learnt.”
My worker said how I deserve all the good things coming to me and that I should believe in myself and keep going.
I've learnt to talk about the incident without getting upset. My perspective also changed on the incident and on myself. It has been so good to have a support system and that's what I'll remember in 20 years' time.
Young Londoner who accessed specialist girls and young women support
Service Spotlight
Girls and Young Women
We understand that girls and young women’s experiences of violence and exploitation are different to those of boys and young men. The young women we work with have lived through traumatic experiences - such as sexual exploitation, violence and abuse - and some have engaged in harmful behaviours or become involved in the criminal justice system. These experiences can have a profound impact on their lives and future.
At Safer London, we believe every girl and young woman deserves safety, understanding and the chance to rebuild. Through our Girls and Young Women Service, we provide trauma-informed, tailored support that meets their individual needs. Our dedicated caseworkers create safe, non-judgmental spaces where young women can process their experiences, strengthen resilience and take steps towards lasting change.
Youth Voice & Participation
When young people inform and influence the services and systems around them, something powerful happens. Last year youth voice and participation pushed through the cracks -shaping, guiding and strengthening everything we do.
At Safer London, participation isn’t one-size-fits-all. It happens in different ways. One mechanism is our Young Researchers programme, where young Londoners have shaped research influencing how we understand complex issues like the concept of love in practice. We also embed feedback and co-design throughout our work, and create spaces for leadership and influence through our young champion VIP programme. Each approach goes beyond consultation - creating genuine influence and driving meaningful change - not just within Safer London but in the wider sector and systems. Because when youth voice pushes through the cracks, it doesn’t just shape services - it transforms lives and creates safety and hope for other children and young people.
Watch Seed to Story, developed in collaboration with the Young Researchers.
Programme Spotlight
The Safer London VIPs
Growth can happen even in the hardest places. For young Londoners who’ve experienced trauma or harm, opportunities to be heard and shape change can feel out of reach - yet these moments can be transformative. Our young champion VIP programme is one way Safer London makes this possible. It’s a dedicated mechanism for participation, creating spaces where young Londoners can share experiences, informing who we are and what we do.
The programme helps young people reclaim agency, build confidence and see that their voices matter. This includes shaping service design, contributing to conferences and events, informing creative projects and taking part in consultations that influence decisions. And it works. 100% of young people involved in the VIP programme told us they had opportunities to contribute to Safer London’s decision-making, gained knowledge and transferable skills, felt valued, grew in confidence, represented youth views, and knew their voice made an impact.
Influencing Change
Real change for young people doesn’t happen in isolation.
While one-to-one support is vital, the systems surrounding young Londoners - schools, social care, housing, health, and justice - shape their experiences every day. Last year, we didn’t just support young Londoners and families - we actively set out to influence how services, professionals and decision-makers respond to harm and exploitation. At Safer London, we know that to create lasting impact, we must influence these systems to work better for children and young people who have experienced harm and those who have caused harm. This means amplifying youth voice, challenging harmful practices and collaborating with partners to make sure responses are consistent, trauma-informed and focused on safety and hope. By doing so, we can extend our reach beyond individual support and help create conditions where every young person can move forward
See Beyond
Girls and young women who display perpetrator behaviours are often victims of exploitation and violence themselves. See Beyond was designed to challenge this narrative - encouraging Criminal Justice System (CJS) Professionals to recognise their trauma and adopt a safeguarding-first approach.
What We Did
- Produced a set of recommendations for decision makers on what changes need to be made to effectively support girls and young women who have experienced exploitation and harm.
- Developed an open-access toolkit for CJS practitioners, providing guidance on spotting signs of exploitation, engaging with empathy, and applying professional curiosity.
- Produced resources for young women including factsheets, comic strips, and animations in multiple languages (plus BSL versions), covering the topics of unhealthy relationships and knowing your rights.
- Created a campaign video to promote the toolkit and spark conversations about safeguarding-first approaches.
The recommendations developed set out clear actions for decision-makers to create a Criminal Justice System that prioritises safeguarding and trauma-informed practice. By equipping professionals with practical guidance and resources, See Beyond has the potential to transform how girls and young women are supported, making sure responses are rooted in empathy and understanding rather than punishment.
The material, in particular the video, is simple, impactive, and thought-provoking. We really need to open our staff’s eyes to the victim-offender dynamic that is so often present not only for young women but also children.
Metropolitan Police sergeant
Watch the See Beyond campaign video
It is very easy in custody to become disillusioned and desensitized to the pain and trauma the people we deal with have suffered. A reminder to everyone who works in custody is such a good idea, and this video hits that point perfectly.
Metropolitan Police sergeant
Who Cares?
Who Cares? was commissioned by Ofsted on behalf of the Joint Inspectorates as part of their thematic review of multi-agency working in relation to serious youth violence. We were asked to consult with children and families outside the inspection areas to ensure their voices were heard. This national consultation reached families and young people across England, making sure a diverse range of perspectives informed the wider review. Through Who Cares?, we spoke directly to parents and children about their experiences of support systems when they had been impacted by serious youth violence - whether harmed, causing harm, or both. Their reflections were powerful and, at times, deeply concerning. Families told us they often felt unheard, judged, and left to navigate complex systems alone Parents described “begging social services to follow up” and being told to limit communication to one email a week.
Nobody acknowledged what was going on with my son. He was stabbed, he had chemicals thrown at him. He was severely exploited, and he did suffer a lot of violence. Absolutely nothing, in my opinion, happened that should have happened.”
Insights from Who Cares? are shaping recommendations for statutory agencies and influencing national conversations about safeguarding.
By sharing these voices, we're helping to drive better, joined-up responses for children and families affected by violence - responses that are empathetic, consistent and focused on safety and hope.
Listen to Director of Practice Carly Adams Elias discuss the Who Cares? consultation on the Ofsted Talks podcast.
Driving Change
Our work is only possible because of our incredible supporters and partners.
Real change takes collaboration - and by working in partnership we can create lasting impact and amplify the voices that matter most.
Supporter Spotlight
AWW Architects
Throughout the year, we’ve partnered with AWW to create meaningful opportunities for young Londoners, explore innovative approaches to building safer environments and raise vital funds to support our direct work with young people and families. Throughout the year, we’ve partnered with AWW to create meaningful opportunities for young Londoners, explore innovative approaches to building safer environments and raise vital funds to support our direct work with young people and families. Together, we’ve achieved some incredible milestones:
- 3 young Londoners took part in a skills-sharing workshop with AWW staff, gaining valuable insights and experience.
- 1 collaborative workshop brought together Safer London senior leaders and the AWW team from London and Bristol to co-develop a Safer Spaces Toolkit.
- 8 young Londoners enjoyed an exciting go-karting experience, generously supported by AWW.
- £1,040 raised during a spooky cycle marathon, with the AWW team pedaling the distance between their London and Bristol offices.
We’re excited to continue our partnership with AWW into the coming year, with a particular focus on advancing and rolling out the Safer Spaces Toolkit.
This initiative will allow us to influence how spaces and places are designed - creating safer environments for children and young people, not only in London but across the UK.
Make a real difference in the lives of some of London's most vulnerable children and young people - sign up to become a Corporate Champion!
Looking Back & Looking Forward
This year, we stood alongside 500 young Londoners and 60 parents and carers, offering consistent, trauma-informed support in the places they felt safest. Each of these moments mattered. Each one was a step from harm to hope. While we’re proud of the lives we’ve touched, we know that 500 young people and 60 families represent only a fraction of those who need us. The risks are growing. The need is urgent. And we must do more. That’s why we’re launching a new organisational strategy - one that builds on our strengths and pushes us further.
Watch CEO, Rosemary Watt-Wyness reflect back on our year, as well as discuss our direction for the future
We know that real change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when we listen deeply, act courageously and stand together. Whether through direct support, research, or advocacy, we are committed to growing our reach and reshaping the systems that too often fail the most vulnerable.
Just like the young Londoners and families we walk alongside - who find ways to grow through the cracks - we too will keep pushing forward. We will continue to nurture the conditions where resilience can take root and where every young Londoner has the chance to grow, even in the hardest of times.
Help us continue our important work and reach more young Londoners and families
Ways you can get involved:
Contact the team bd@saferlondon.org.uk if you're interested in partnering or collaborating with us.
My worker taught me how to prioritise myself even when it feels uncomfortable. She has spoken life into me when I felt lifeless, supporting me through a situation I often downplayed knowing this she validated and held space for me.
Acknowledgments and thanks
Supporters and funders
- Barrow Cadbury Trust
- City Bridge Trust
- Help for Children UK
- The London Community Foundation
- Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC)
- The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
- The many schools and individuals who fundraised to support our work.
Partners and collaborators
- Anna Freud
- AWW Architects
- Child Bereavement UK
- Code 7
- Exit Hate UK
- Father 2 Father
- St Giles Trust
- Karen Green Stewart
- KIKIT
- New Horizon Youth Centre
- Participation People
- University of Sussex School of Education and Social Work
- UCL Psychoanalysis Unit WAGN
Safer London Trustees
- Janine McDowell, Chair
- Gemma Bailey
- Vaneesha Bailey
- Valerie Floy, Hon. Treasurer
- Dr Anthony Gunter
- Baroness Sally Hamwee
- Tim Jones
Safer London is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 1109444; and a company limited by guarantee No. 5190766.
Credits:
Safer London is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 1109444; and a company limited by guarantee No. 5190766.