Early Intervention, Lasting Impact: Supporting Young People Through Crisis
“It’s nice knowing someone really cares,” This is just some of the amazing feedback shared with my team about the brilliant Emergency Department Youth Workers Initiative which my office helps to fund alongside University Hospital Dorset Charity (UHD).
In this week’s newsletter I would like to shine a light on this fantastic initiative, which is being run by No Limits, an organisation which offers specialised emotional support, crisis intervention and access to ongoing services for young people in need of help. It aims to significantly reduce the likelihood of future re-admissions to hospital from this age group, ensuring young people are safer.
In the ED, youth workers are on hand to support victims of crime or those involved in violence as well as being available to talk through a range of issues including drug and alcohol education, homelessness, self-harm, emotional resilience, sexual health, money and budgeting.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, I fund this service because we know that timely support can help prevent vulnerable young people from becoming victims of crime, becoming involved in violence or exploitation, or reaching crisis point again in the future.
Figures from the latest quarter show that from April to June 2026, youth workers engaged with 65 young people, delivering a total of 159 related interactions which included discussions with young people, their families, clinicians, and support services.
The number of young people supported increased significantly compared to the previous quarter, with the service helping young people aged between 12 and 22. Around 74% of those supported were female.
No Limits has also been able to share some valuable case studies revealing how vital this service is. A powerful example of the initiative’s impact involved a 12-year-old who attended the emergency department following an assault at school. Through conversations with the young person and their mother, the youth worker identified wider challenges linked to suspected autism and ADHD, including difficulties with communication, school attendance and self-harm behaviours. The youth worker provided practical communication tools, signposted the family to additional support services and successfully advocated for a same-day CAMHS referral, ensuring the young person received urgent mental health support. By addressing underlying issues at an early stage, the intervention helped reduce the risk of further crisis and future hospital attendance.
A further case study highlights the complex needs of many young people supported by the service. A young woman attended the emergency department in severe distress, reporting she did not feel safe returning home and was at risk of self-harm. She had experienced homelessness, family breakdown, criminal exploitation and drug use, leaving her particularly vulnerable and limiting some of the support options available to her during her crisis. The youth worker provided practical and emotional support throughout her time in hospital, helping her manage her distress, meet her immediate needs and remain engaged while awaiting psychiatric assessment. By building trust and providing a consistent, supportive presence during a period of crisis, the Youth Worker helped reduce the young person's immediate distress and ensured she received compassionate support at a time when she felt particularly vulnerable.
Another young man attended the emergency department after self-harming during a period of acute emotional distress linked to ongoing family difficulties and separation from his young daughter. The youth worker provided a calm, non-judgemental space for him to talk through his concerns, helping him focus on his strengths as a father and identify practical steps he could take to improve his situation. By offering emotional support, signposting him to specialist advocacy services and helping him better understand his rights, the youth worker was able to reduce his distress and restore a sense of hope. As a result, he remained engaged with the support available in hospital and went on to engage positively with psychiatric liaison services, leaving with what he described as a clear ‘roadmap’ for moving forward.
These case studies are just a snapshot of the difference the Emergency Department Youth Workers Initiative is making for young people and their families across Dorset. The feedback received from those who have benefited from the service speaks volumes, with one young person saying: “It’s nice knowing someone really cares,” while another said the youth workers were “lifesavers” and that they “probably would have left the hospital if they hadn't have been here.”
Parents have praised the team's “true and genuine empathy”, while young people consistently describe staff as “kind, caring, compassionate and understanding.” Hospital professionals have also recognised the value of the service, describing it as “much needed” and praising Youth Workers for helping to make hospital a less overwhelming experience, particularly for vulnerable young people in crisis.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am proud that my office continues to support this invaluable initiative alongside University Hospital Dorset Charity. The case studies and feedback highlighted here show the profound impact youth workers can have when young people are experiencing some of the most difficult moments in their lives. By providing a trusted person to listen, practical support and access to the right services at the right time, this initiative is helping to keep vulnerable young people safe, reduce future harm and give them hope for the future. I would like to thank No Limits and everyone involved in delivering this vital service for the difference they continue to make to young lives across Dorset every day.
David Sidwick,
Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset