Youngsters at risk of sexual exploitation will benefit from a £1million grant awarded to Hackney Council by the Home Office.
The town hall successfully bid for the cash from the Trusted Relationships Fund – set up to help social workers, police, nurses and other professionals form close relationships with kids at risk of exploitation, county lines, gang crime and relationships abuse.
The money will pay for a detached youth and mental health team to work with the borough’s most vulnerable and hard to reach young people, as well as funding research into grooming.
They will help them access mental health support and take part in positive activities. The team will also support local groups with mental health first aid and help people understand how best to intervene in potentially harmful situations.
Deputy mayor Cllr Anntoinette Bramble said: “We’re proud to lead the way in innovative approaches to protecting young people, and not only will this funding help young people in our borough, but it will contribute to the national research and evidence base to help children across the country.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here