New chief executive appointed at the Youth Endowment Fund

Jeremy Miles, who has served as a member of the Senedd since 2016, will join YEF in July.

The YEF is a UK charity dedicated to youth research and evidence-led action, including working with the police, to prevent violence affecting children and young people.

Children who enter the criminal justice system are often among the most vulnerable in society. The YEF says contact with the police can provide an important opportunity to identify safeguarding needs and address underlying drivers of offending. Ensuring children receive appropriate support can reduce future harm and improve life chances.

Inspection reports suggest that while police are improving at identifying and responding to signs of vulnerability in children, too many exploited children are criminalised.

In response, the YEF Toolkit, a free, online resource, outlines evidence-based approaches to reducing violence that are often used in the policing sector, including strategies linked to policing in the community.

These include interventions such as focused deterrence, problem-oriented policing, diversion and hot spots policing. The evidence-base shows these interventions represent the ‘best-bet’ approaches for policing to implement as they all have a high or moderate impact on reducing crime and violence

This supports police forces, commissioners, and local partners to identify and implement effective violence prevention strategies that keep young people and children safe and out of the justice system wherever possible.

This focus on research and real-world evaluation strengthens evidence-based policing across local areas. The Toolkit shows what works, and what may have limited impact or even risk causing harm, helping services make better-informed decisions.

Outgoing CEO Mr Yates said: “Nothing is more important than ensuring all our children grow up safely. That is why it has been an immense privilege to work with the fantastic team here at YEF to build the first What Works Centre to keep children safe from becoming involved in violence.

“A lot has been done; we know more than ever about what works to keep children safe, and brilliant work is being done supporting those working with children. It is fantastic to see Jeremy take on the role and I know the organisation will only grow in what it can do – with others – to change things for children.”

Over the past six years, YEF has:

Committed more than £165 million to the delivery and evaluation of violence prevention projects in England and Wales.

Commissioned more than 100 evaluations, including more than 60 impact evaluations – the largest body of UK-based studies ever commissioned on preventing violence affecting children.

Carried out the UK’s largest survey of children’s experiences of violence, involving nearly 11,000 teenage children in England and Wales.

Helped drive reforms across key systems working with children, including education, youth justice and youth services.

Supported widespread use of its guidance and Violence Prevention Toolkit, including by education leaders, youth offending teams and other frontline practitioners.

Throughout his ministerial career, Mr Miles has led major cross-government work spanning health, education and economic policy. At the heart of that work has been a focus on improving the lives and prospects of children and families – experience he will bring directly to his new role.

At YEF, he will lead the organisation’s mission to prevent children and young people from becoming involved in violence. Working closely with colleagues and partners across the services and sectors that shape young people’s lives and outcomes, he will build on the charity’s work to strengthen the evidence of what works, listen to and learn from young people’s experiences, and turn that insight into meaningful change in both practice and policy.

Mr Miles said: “I am excited to be joining YEF at this crucial time. Every young person deserves the best start in life, and the YEF’s mission to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence goes to the heart of this.

“YEF’s reputation is underpinned by a rigorous body of evidence – it knows what works – and a passion for using that evidence to change lives. That’s an incredibly powerful combination. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help YEF build on its successes to date, bringing my experience in reforming systems, and to working with others to help make the lives of children and young people free of violence.”

Lisa Stone, chair of the YEF Committee, added: “Jeremy brings a wealth of experience to YEF, having held senior government roles across areas central to our mission. He is a proven leader who will bring both passion and humility to this role, and we are thrilled to have him guiding YEF through its next phase.

“Jon has been an extraordinary leader over the past six years. His focus and dedication will have a lasting impact on YEF. He hands over an ambitious and highly capable team to deliver our mission to reduce violence affecting children and young people, under the guidance of our new CEO, Jeremy.”

The appointment comes at a time when the importance of evidence on what works to prevent violence has never been clearer. The Government’s recent Protecting Lives, Building Hope: A Plan to Halve Knife Crime draws heavily on YEF’s research and recommendations. That momentum continues with YEF’s forthcoming Children’s Services Practice Guidance, due to be published in June.