Report finds children as young as 11 carrying knives for ‘protection’ due to feeling unsafe
The findings of the authors were described as ‘shocking’ and emphasized the need for better cooperation between local services that work with children.
A report on youth violence revealed that children as young as 11 are carrying knives in England for their own “protection.” Ofsted inspectors expressed concern about these findings and urged urgent action to support children at the highest risk.
According to Ofsted Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver, the prevalence of knife crime among children is a national scandal, with children feeling the need to carry weapons for protection at a very young age.
The joint report by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), HMI Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), and HMI Probation highlighted consistent deficiencies in how local safeguarding partnerships addressed youth violence in various areas across England.
Despite some positive examples of joint work with children, professionals often failed to recognize the need for protection for children, particularly among Black children and those with special educational needs or disabilities.
Inspectors noted a serious lack of comprehensive government guidance on collaboration among professionals working with children, exacerbating the issue.
The impact of youth violence, as emphasized by Lucy Hale from the CQC, is more severe than many adults realize. Effective training and cooperation between local services can play a significant role in addressing these challenges.
It is crucial for agencies working with children to prioritize serious violence, particularly considering the findings that highlight how many children have been victims of or witnesses to violence.
The importance of involving health colleagues in planning prevention strategies and support for affected individuals was underscored by Hale, pointing to the opportunity to learn and improve services based on these findings.
A separate report commissioned by Ofsted found that families impacted by serious youth violence often felt a lack of empathy from professionals, highlighting the need for tangible support.
Efforts to halve knife crime over the next decade include measures targeting online sales of illegal knives, with tech industry executives potentially facing fines if they do not remove such adverts. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that these measures will help combat the epidemic of knife crime affecting families and communities nationwide.
