In September 2019, the Home Secretary announced a £30 million package to help prevent child sexual abuse, disrupt offending behaviour and support victims and survivors. This included the introduction of the Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Transformation Fund.
Through the fund the Home Office included:
- To promote and disseminate best practice in the provision of support to help children and young people cope with and, as far as possible, recover from abuse.
- To improve the quality of support available to children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse
- To build understanding of what works to support children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse.
Led by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), a partnership bid was submitted and was successful with support from key delivery partners, these being – Arch Teesside, A Way Out, Barnardos, Eva and the Halo Project. Barefoot Research also supported the bid and will independently evaluate the project.
As per the PCCs grant powers each of the delivery partners will be grant funded to deliver as below:
Arch Teesside – £42,500 – for the development of resources for family members affected by CSA including the delivery of 1:1 support focused on emotional resilience (working in partnership with Eva). In addition to the above Arch Teesside will also support the delivery of two partnership stakeholder sessions.
A Way Out – £46,196 – for the introduction of a transition worker to bridge the gap providing continuity of support for those affected by CSA from childhood to adulthood
Barnardos – £82,831 – for the addition of a specialist children and young people worker in the field of CSA based with the Cleveland Police Criminal Exploitation Team providing a unique opportunity to focus holistically on the child, providing 1:1 support and co-ordination of any wider needs that the young person may be facing. In addition to this Barnardos will provide training and awareness in related to boys affected by CSA to ensure they are supported in a gender informed way enabling them to engage positively with support.
Eva – £37,500 – for the development of resources for family members affected by CSA including the delivery of 1:1 support focused on emotional resilience (working in partnership with Arch Teesside).
The Halo Project – £18,000 – for the development on a BAME pathways for victims of CSA. This includes the development and delivery of trauma informed training that is delivered in a culturally open and sensitive way.
Barefoot Research – £5,000 – to support with the project through independent evaluation.