Too many young lives are being lost as a result of growing violence in our communities. In July, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) published a policy discussion paper on serious youth violence and knife crime in order to open a discussion about what an integrated, whole-system response to the risks and harms facing a small, number of children, young people and young adults should look like. The paper highlighted the need for a clear, co-ordinated and compassionate strategy focused on prevention, backed by long-term sustainable funding.

Since then, the ADCS has been discussing these issues with a range of stakeholders to build a common understanding of what a public health approach to tackling serious youth violence and knife crime looks like.