Daniel Chery, one of the managers of our SW!TCH team, has pulled together his top tips for outreach and detached working.
- Always work in pairs
- Ensure you have a current and updated risk assessment
- Dynamically assess a situation before approaching young people in groups
- Communicate with the police and local authority to identify hotspots
- Make sure your team co-ordinate with other providers and share insights – joined-up working is vital
- Carry around a toolkit for improptu activities, e.g. footballs, rounder equipment, Frisbees, cones, bibs, first aid kit, whistle, PPE, etc.
- Bring the youthwork and activities to where the young people are
- Log activities and evaluate effectiveness. Use registers and evaluation forms – who, what, when, where.
- Share intelligence gathered to help better shape local provision
- Make sure to actually listen to the young people and find out what their needs are and act appropriately.
- Say what you mean and mean what you say.
- Reach out to more than just the young people – build relationships with local residents to get a better picture of the situation
- Your team should be highly visible when out working – make sure they have ID badges worn, and try and wear a consistent uniform, even if it’s not branded with your logo
- Make sure your staff have training in risk assessment, so there’s no barrier to carrying out needed activities
- Always make sure you follow the current social distancing and related guidelines
