Briefings
The VRN is committed to generating and sharing knowledge. This includes producing briefings for partners on issues relating to violence prevention and reduction. You can access the current briefings here.
Preventing Serious Violence
2024 - 2025
Central to a public health approach is the core belief that violence is preventable; that it is possible to prevent and reduce modifiable risk factors and to strengthen protective factors. This briefing synthesises the growing body of evidence on effective interventions and approaches for preventing serious violence.
Preventing Serious Violence After School
January 2024
This briefing aims to provide partners with recent data on serious violence which occurs after school and more specifically, the nature, extent and hotspot locations of this problem. It also brings together the evidence on the approaches and activities which are likely to be effective at preventing serious violence within this context.
Preventing Serious Violence in the Night-Time Economy
January 2024
This briefing aims to provide partners with recent data on serious violence which occurs in the night time economy and more specifically, the nature, extent and hotspot locations of this problem. As the Violence Reduction Network has a particular focus on young people (under 25), the similarities and nuances in the offences committed by under 25 years old and by those over 25 years old will be highlighted throughout this report
Research into Effective Parenting Programme
October 2023
To further inform the Violence Reduction Network’s Response Strategy and priorities of the LLR Early Intervention and Prevention Boards, Rocket Science, an independent research consultancy, was commissioned to conduct research into effective parenting programmes. This brief outlines which parenting programmes are proven to be effective in improving outcomes for children and families, what parenting programmes are delivered locally and to what extent are these interventions evidence informed, and how the provision of parenting programmes across LLR could be improved.
Research into Effective Support for Neurodivergent Young people in the Criminal Justice System
October 2023
In the spring of 2023, Rocket Science, an independent research consultancy, was commissioned by the VRN to research effective support for neurodivergent young people in the criminal justice system (CJS). This brief outlines what effective support looks like for neurodivergent young people in the criminal justice system, how the needs of children and young people are currently met when interacting with the police, youth justice, and VRN commissioned services in LLR, and how local CJS partners could improve support.
Evaluations
The VRN is committed to strengthening our collective understanding of what works in preventing and reducing violence. This includes ensuring we have the ability to monitor the effectiveness of all our interventions and undertaking or commissioning evaluation activity. You can access all of our local evaluation reports here.
Below is a selection of reports which can be accessed by clicking on the relevant image.
Evaluation of the Community Resolution and Prevention Service
2021
In October 2021, Rocket Science were commissioned by the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) to conduct an independent evaluation of the Community Resolution and Prevention Service (CRPS) delivered by Leicester City Council. CRPS delivers an early intervention and secondary prevention service for young people up to 18 years of age, who live in Leicester, and who are either subject to a community resolution order or have been identified as being at risk of offending.
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The following reports provide a detailed overview and an executive summary of the evaluation findings and key recommendations.
Evaluation of the Unlocking Potential Project
2021
In October 2021, Rocket Science were commissioned by the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) to conduct an independent evaluation of the Unlocking Potential Project (UPP). The UP Project – delivered by Leicestershire Cares – provides ETE support for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who have committed a serious violent offence.
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The following reports provide a detailed overview and an executive summary of the evaluation findings and key recommendations.
8 Key Enablers for Achieving Positive Outcomes With Young People
Based upon the findings from our internal evaluations and the external evaluations outlined above, we have produced a short report which details the key enablers for achieving positive outcomes with young people.
Rocket Science were commissioned by the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) to conduct an independent evaluation of the Violence Intervention Project (VIP) which is delivered by Turning Point. VIP is a service provided within custody and the local A&E department for young people up to the age of 25 who have experienced violence. The model is based upon the reachable moment approach which seeks to engage young people at key times in their contact with services.
Evaluation of the Violence Intervention Project
2022
Rapid Evidence Review: Interventions to Prevent and Reduce Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
2024
Crest Advisory were commissioned by the Home Office in 2022 to work with all 43 police force areas in England and Wales to support the implementation of and provide ongoing support for the Serious Violence Duty (the Duty). The second phase of this work is providing tailored support to areas around the Duty. As we have recently changed our definition, this report provides an understanding of what works to tackle both domestic abuse and sexual violence.
