The Police Service and The Trust
How the partnership works
Police Service Team Leaders and Assistant Team Leaders spend a
minimum of four months on attachment working with a Delivery
Partner – an organisation that delivers the Team programme on
behalf of The Trust.
All receive a comprehensive training package before their
secondment consisting of a five-day residential module.
Leaders then spend 12 weeks running the Team programme, as Team
Leader supported by an Assistant Team Leader, or supporting a Team
Leader. They are responsible for:
- planning the 12-week programme and recruiting the Team
- acting as a role model for Team members
- supporting young people by developing their individual action
plans and helping them to gain certificates and
qualifications.
Career development
Being a Team Leader or Assistant Team Leader will develop your
communication and organisational skills and provide you with a
hands-on leadership opportunity that can really help your career.
Along with gaining invaluable experience in working with young
people, it will help you be a more effective and valuable member of
the police service.
It is also possible to take part in the Team programme for 20
days as an employed participant, joining young people on the
broader, 12-week programme. This can be completed either all in one
go, or by spreading your 20 days over the course of the 12
weeks.
According to a recent survery of nearly 900 employed
participants and their line managers:
- 76% of employed Team members gain promotion or greater
responsibility on return to work
- 95% of employers report improvement in skills and attitudes of
staff on return to work
- 89% believed their confidence had
grown
- 90% felt they could work more
effectively with others in a team
- 84% would be more willing to take
responsibility for projects in the future
- 79% developed their problem solving
skills
- 83% were personally inspired and
motivated by the programme
Working together to change young lives
"As the lead of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
I feel that it is my responsibility to ensure the Police Service
plays its part in harnessing the productivity of our younger
generation. To do this, we have to work together to minimise the
risk of their lives and prospects being damaged as a result of
being involved in the Criminal Justice System.
"Prolific and serious young offenders often represent the most
troubled and socially excluded young people in society. We
have a duty to protect and help these vulnerable young people and
it is my opinion that collectively we should be doing more to
support them.
"We should be identifying early warning signs and proactively
tackling preventing the flow of individuals into criminal life.
ACPO’s involvement with The Prince’s Trust shows our commitment to
helping young people developing the skills needed to change their
lives. It provides the Police Service with the opportunity to
challenge perceptions and break down barriers between young people
and the Police.
There are currently already 48 forces engaged
in The Prince’s Trust programmes and I would encourage all forces
to recognise the wide-ranging benefits such involvement can
bring.
– Assistant Commissioner Ian
McPherson QPM, Metropolitan Police - Head of
ACPO
Business Area for Children and Young People