THE SHiFT DIFFERENCE

Since SHiFT was founded in 2020, 108 children and young people have completed the Programme. We currently work alongside 121 children, young people and their families in five SHiFT Practices – SHiFT Bexley, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Kingston & Richmond.

Before the end of 2025, SHiFT will welcome an additional 139 children and young people to work with a SHiFT Guide in Kingston & Richmond, Manchester, Bexley, Middlesbrough, Essex and Croydon.

SHiFT will have reached 368 children and young people by the end of 2025.

Infographic with four colored panels displaying statistics. Blue panel: "83% were considered at risk of exploitation, or being exploited." Green panel: "76% were open to children's social care." Purple panel: "51% had experienced domestic abuse." Orange panel: "48% had unmet mental health needs."
Two pie charts and a timeline showing demographic data. Left pie chart: "89% are boys." Right pie chart: "43% are Black, Asian or Mixed Heritage." Timeline below shows ages 11 to 21 with "16 is the average age" highlighted.
Bar chart comparing outcomes 'Proven offence,' 'Reported Missing,' and 'Arrested' before and after using SHiFT Guide. Green bars represent 'In the year prior to SHiFT,' orange bars represent 'With a SHiFT Guide for 12-18 months.' Each category shows a reduction with SHiFT Guide.

41% reduction in proven offences.

58% reduction in reported missing episodes.

51% reduction in arrests.

Cost effectiveness

Doing the right thing and making ‘the SHiFT difference’ for children, young people and families also realises savings to the public purse. Economic analysis conducted by Cornish & Grey found that for each child considered:

• Potential future public costs avoided in the next five years ranged from £1.8M to £164K.

• Costs avoided by breaking cycles of crime now ranged from £2.5M to £700K for each child up to the age of 40.

With a cost per child of £21,000 for 18 months of intensive SHiFT support, for every £1 spent on SHiFT £8 is saved.

Three overlapping circles illustrating savings over time. A small beige circle shows £1, a medium green circle shows "£8 saved over 5 years," and a large blue circle shows "£33 saved over 20 years."