London's Violence Reduction Unit - Pan London Tertiary Service

Overview

About the VRU The London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), hosted within the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), pioneers a partnership-based public health approach to tackling violence rooted in prevention and early intervention. Since 2019, the VRU has invested in over 550,000 targeted interventions for young people across London. Project Background The VRU takes a public health approach to violence reduction, recognising that prevention requires action at different stages. Primary prevention seeks to change the conditions that make violence more likely, strengthening protective factors before violence occurs. Secondary prevention responds when risk or violence is emerging, aiming to interrupt risk and prevent escalation. Tertiary prevention focuses on reducing the harm caused by violence, supporting recovery and reducing the likelihood of further violence. These approaches are complementary, forming part of a wider response to violence and exploitation. Children and young people affected by violence and exploitation can experience complex and interconnected needs, alongside significant barriers to accessing support. These may include safeguarding concerns, trauma, mental health needs, housing instability, disrupted relationships and difficulties accessing education, employment and other opportunities. Tertiary provision is therefore essential to provide tailored, coordinated support that addresses immediate safeguarding concerns, helps young people recover and improve their circumstances, and reduces the risk of further harm. The Violence and Exploitation Support Service (VESS) launched in June 2024 to provide specialist support to young people across London who have been affected by violence and exploitation. Management of the VESS contract transferred from the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime (MOPAC) to the VRU in October 2025, with the contract due to expire in June 2027. VESS has made an important contribution to the VRU’s wider approach to tertiary provision, reinforcing the value of trusted relationships between practitioners and young people, flexible and personalised support, and a multidisciplinary approach connecting young people to specialist services, including mental health, housing, education, employment and safeguarding. This experience, alongside the VRU’s established expertise in violence reduction and wider evidence base, provides a strong foundation for the development of the new Tertiary Service. As VESS is due to end in June 2027, the VRU is commissioning a new Tertiary Service to provide specialist support to young people experiencing the highest levels of harm, vulnerability, violence and exploitation. Description of the service The London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) will appoint a provider to deliver a pan-London Tertiary Service for young people aged 11–25 who are experiencing the highest levels of harm, vulnerability, violence and exploitation. The VRU Tertiary Service forms part of the VRU’s wider public health approach to violence reduction. It is intended to provide specialist support to young people who are already affected by, or at significant risk of, serious violence and exploitation, where intensive and coordinated, intervention is required to address their needs and reduce the risk of further harm. The Service will deliver intensive, relationship-based one-to-one support that responds to immediate safeguarding concerns and the wider factors contributing to violence, exploitation and vulnerability. Practitioners will build trusted relationships with young people who may have experienced significant trauma, have difficulty engaging with services or have developed distrust towards professionals. Support will be tailored to each young person’s circumstances, needs, risks and aspirations. This includes responding to immediate concerns while addressing longer-term factors affecting safety, stability and wellbeing. The Provider will coordinate support across multiple areas of need a