Reboot
What is Reboot?
Reboot is a four-stage early intervention youth programme in Sussex.
The concept is to engage with young people (10–17 years old) at early ‘teachable’ moments, before they become entrenched in crime and violence. The programme is a non-criminal pathway which takes a strengths-based approach to focus on the positive aspects of young people’s lives as opposed to the negatives. This is achieved through staged interventions, building skills and resilience in young people and giving them access to tailored support – all to reduce the risk of them being drawn into a life of criminality or victimisation. Every interaction will be both an intervention and an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with the child and their family.
Support can also be offered to parents and guardians of young people open to Reboot to help provide holistic support to the family as a whole. Reboot work with a number of partners across Sussex. Interventions that can be offered include a mentoring programme and parenting support. You will be provided with further information regarding these should Reboot be offered to you.
Children and young people come from a wide range of backgrounds with different experiences, vulnerabilities and values. Our approach acknowledges differences, recognises vulnerabilities and aims to meet the needs of every child.
We will treat a child as a child. The voices of vulnerable children and young people must be heard and their opinions respected. The child will be spoken to and asked how they are feeling, what they are thinking and what they want to happen.
Why is Reboot needed?
Young people are increasingly vulnerable to becoming involved in crime and violence, and due to its close proximity to London, young people in Sussex are particularly exposed to being exploited by gangs running County Lines drug operations.
Stages
At every stage, those working with the young person and their family look to fulfil the objective of the programme: to reduce the risk of young people becoming involved in crime, violence or repeat victimisation.
The first intervention is conducted by a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) who will attend the home address of the young person. They will explain the programme and why the young person was referred. They will endeavour to establish a relationship with them and the wider family so as to identify diversionary activities that interest the young person. If willing to engage in the programme a Reboot coordinator will contact the family to discuss relevant and bespoke diversionary activities and support for the young person.
The second intervention is conducted by a Neighbourhood Youth Officer (a Police Constable). This will take place at the home address of the young person. They will explain why the young person has moved to stage two and what new concerns/risks have been identified by police. They will endeavour to establish a relationship with them and the wider family so as to identify diversionary activities that interest the young person so as to identify and support them in accessing diversionary activities.
If incidents continue and escalate, the young person will be moved to stage three. A meeting will be held between professionals who are or have been engaged in support with the young person and their family. This will allow opportunity to establish what positive impacts there have been and what further support can be offered. A further home visit will be conducted by the Neighbourhood Youth Officer. This ensures continuity in building a relationship with the young person and their family.
If the young person continues to be at risk the entire Reboot response will be assessed and handover will be completed to a more appropriate team/partner. This may include Children's Services or the Youth Offending Service.
Activities, clubs and support in Sussex
We have created a directory which highlights just some of the activities, clubs, interventions and support available to young people and families across Sussex.
You will see the name of the organisation or activity provider along with all the details you need to know, including location, ages, days/times, cost, and the all-important contact details.
If you have any questions about any of the activities or support described in this directory, please contact the organisation directly.
All information is correct at time of publication but could be subject to change, so please contact the provider to confirm the information is still as described.
Results of the first year
Reboot began in 2019. It was estimated that the programme would see 20-30 referrals a month - around 250-350 per year.
Instead, in its first year Reboot received over 1,000 referrals of young people into the programme, exceeding initial anticipated demand by 300%. Of the 938 young people who engaged, most exited the programme at Stage 1, with 30% progressing to the coaching offer at Stage 2.
82% of young people continued to be monitored for a period of time and were subsequently assessed as no longer at risk. Seven out of ten young people said that Reboot had a positive impact on helping them achieve their personal goals, and one parent commented: "For the first time the strengths of my son have been recognised and someone has worked with him to set goals and encourage him to focus on all his passions. He is now back on track, not getting in trouble and the future is his to grab."
You can find more in-depth information about the programme's first year in the Reboot Impact Report.