What is the SAFE Taskforce? 

Published in July 2021, the cross-government Beating Crime Plan announced investment of over £45m in specialist support in both mainstream and Alternative Provision (AP) schools in areas where serious youth violence is most prevalent, to support young people at risk of involvement in violence to re-engage with education.

The majority of this funding is focussed on investment for mainstream schools through the SAFE Taskforces programme, with £30m of funding over a 3-year period.

SAFE stands for Support, Attend, Fulfil, Exceed. The Taskforces will bring together mainstream schools to commission evidence-based interventions to Support young people with challenging behaviour, enabling them to Attend school regularly, so they can Fulfil their potential and prevent costly poor life outcomes by inspiring them to Exceed their expectations​.

Ten areas in the country have been selected to set up a SAFE Taskforce led by mainstream secondary schools.

The 10 SAFE areas are:

In Bradford, the SAFE Taskforce is being led by Exceed Academies Trust.

Funding of up to £3,377,550 over a 3-year period has been secured for Bradford.

SAFE Taskforces harness the leadership, expertise and distinct position in children and young peoples’ lives held by schools, as they work collaboratively with multi-agency partners and experts across their local authority area.  

Their purpose is to make a tangible difference in young people’s lives, through commissioning and investing in evidence-informed interventions which tackle serious violence either directly, or through improved behavioural/attitudinal indicators and increased engagement in education. 

Please see the links to the right for further information.