During 2022/23 Barnardo’s Tees Valley were awarded Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Male Rape Support Services Funding for a 12 month period (1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023), to work with children in a schools context across the Cleveland area (see decision 2022-0014).
22/23 funding
The funding enabled Barnardo’s Tees Valley to deliver a second year of work with schools to get to a position where they would be responding appropriately to concerning sexual behaviours particularly from boys. The focus of the work was to minimise the escalation of concerning sexual behaviours and support teaching staff to confidently handle safeguarding incidents through a trauma informed lens.
At the same time funding was used to provide a safe environment, in which children could identify their support needs and access help. Through a combination of activities, immediate specialist support could be offered including one-to-one therapy.
The pilot evaluation
The 2021/22 pilot has been evaluated and provided some really strong learning points for the future including the need for the response to harmful sexual behaviour within the school context requiring significant further input to ensure that appropriate safeguarding and care is in place.
Details of further funding
In March 2023, the MoJ confirmed with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner that funding of an additional £10,742.33 from the Male Rape Support Services Fund would be available to 31 July 2023 only. This funding would enable continuation of the project to the end of the 2023 academic year. Barnardo’s Tees Valley confirmed that the project could continue to be delivered without disruption until 31st July 2023. After this time, it is the intention of the MoJ to formally procure a provider.
Decision 23/24 – 0001: Male Rape Support Services Fund (application, 155kB)