South Yorkshire invests in access to trusted educational resources for young people
Pol-Ed is currently used by police forces across the UK and has already reached more than 1.8 million children and young people
Children and young people are set to benefit from specialist resources designed to help them learn about personal safety, well-being, positive relationships and the law.
The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU ), part of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has purchased ‘Pol-Ed’, a nationally recognised educational programme with tailored lessons for each age group on a range of topics designed to support them and provide information to help them make the right choices.
The investment will enable schools, colleges, alternative provision settings, youth organisations and community groups across South Yorkshire to access a wide range of high-quality educational resources, helping young people make informed choices and stay safe.
Pol-Ed is currently used by police forces across the UK and has already reached more than 1.8 million children and young people. South Yorkshire is now one of 19 force areas committed to delivering the initiative.
The programme provides free lesson plans, guidance for assemblies and teaching resources, developed by education specialists and policing experts, covering topics including relationships, keeping safe, understanding the law and well-being.
Kilvinder Vigurs, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in South Yorkshire, said: "We are committed to giving children and young people across South Yorkshire the knowledge, confidence and support they need to make positive choices and stay safe.
“Pol-Ed is a fantastic resource that enables us to engage with young people on issues that matter to them, from personal safety and well-being to understanding the law and their rights and responsibilities.”
The Violence Reduction Unit and South Yorkshire Police will work with partners across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to promote the programme, support registration and encourage widespread use of the resources throughout the region to encourage the lessons to be rolled out to children and young people from September.
Pol-Ed will be presenting to community organisations at the next Preventing Violence Forum on 23 September and conferences for schools will take place in October/November. To sign up to the events or to find out more, please email the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit [email protected]