Online Harms Digital Youth Work Pilot Programme

The London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is undertaking a virtual market engagement exercise Wednesday 5th August 2026 @ 10am , via MS Teams, to inform the commissioning of the Online Harms Digital Youth Work Pilot Programme.

The London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is committed to understanding the factors that place children and young people at risk of violence, exploitation and harm, and to working collaboratively with partners to deliver long-term, sustainable solutions. We work across communities and sectors, including youth services, local government, education, health, policing and the voluntary and community sector, championing a public health approach that combines prevention, early intervention and effective support for those experiencing the greatest levels of risk and vulnerability.

At the heart of our approach is the belief that violence is preventable, not inevitable. We recognise, however, that many children and young people are already navigating the impacts of trauma, exploitation, abuse and complex community dynamics. As such, our work seeks not only to prevent harm before it occurs, but also to strengthen the systems, services and trusted adults responsible for safeguarding, supporting and intervening with those most affected. Central to this approach is a commitment to partnership working, evidence-informed practice and ensuring that the voices, experiences and expertise of young people and communities shape the solutions designed to support them.

The Mayor's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is seeking to engage with the market in advance of a forthcoming procurement opportunity relating to the delivery of its flagship Digital Youth Work Pilot Programme.

The programme forms part of the VRU's wider public health approach to violence reduction and sits within a London-wide model developed following extensive consultation with young people, practitioners, safeguarding professionals, academics and sector experts.

Digital life brings clear benefits for many children. Ofcom found that 99% of 13–17-year-olds see at least one benefit to being online, including help with schoolwork, learning new skills and maintaining social connections. 93% of children in the UK play video games, and children

report that gaming helps them socialise with friends, learn new skills and have fun, with most online interactions taking place with friends they already know offline.

At the same time, the VRU is concerned that these same digital environments expose children and young people to a wide range of harms and risks.

Digital safety is increasingly a public safety and public health concern. Children and young people are navigating identity, relationships, influence, exploitation and conflict across interconnected online and offline environments. However, systems, services and safeguarding responses have often struggled to keep pace with the rapidly evolving nature of digital spaces. This matters for the VRU because online harms do not sit separately from wider concerns about violence, vulnerability, exploitation and safeguarding.

The VRU is seeking delivery partners to pilot innovative Digital Youth Work (DYW) approaches across London that drive new models of engagement with young people and promote safeguarding in digital spaces.

The VRU is seeking approaches that:

Design, deliver and test new or existing digital youth work models

Extend trusted, relationship-based youth work into digital environments

Strengthen early intervention, prevention and safeguarding online

Generate learning, insight and practical outputs to strengthen future activity

The programme aims not only to deliver effective pilot activity, but also to contribute to sector-wide innovation and the development of scalable models of digital youth work across London.

Scope of delivery

The programme will be structured into three complementary lots:

Lot 1: Supporting High-Need and Digitally Dependent Young People

Testing approaches that improve accessibility and engagement for young people who face barriers to traditional provision, including SEND.

Lot 2: Early Intervention and Prevention of Online Harms

Testing models that enable early identification, prevention and response to online risks, with a focus on safeguarding and preventative practice of deterring online to offline violence.

Lot 3: Universal Digital Youth Work and Positive Opportunities

Exploring how digital youth work can foster connection, creativity, play, participation and digital citizenship for all young people.

Bidders may apply for one, two or all three lots. Applications may be submitted by individual organisations or as partnerships/consortia.

Target Audience

The programme will focus on delivering digital youth work to children and young people aged 11–25 across London, including but not limited to:

Young people at higher risk of being impacted by online harms

Those facing barriers to traditional youth provision, including SEND and young people who may be more digitally dependent and/or digitally excluded

Young people experiencing vulnerability linked to violence, exploitation or disadvantage

Young people with caring responsibilities

Young people in the care system

Young people affected by Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

The wider youth population through universal provision

Potential delivery settings and workforces may include, but are not limited to:

Community-based youth organisations and youth services

Detached, outreach and neighbourhood-based provision

Faith and community organisations

SEND and disability-focused youth provision

Organisations supporting young people experiencing vulnerability, exclusion or barriers to traditional youth provision

Specialist services working with young people affected by violence, exploitation or online harms

Informal education, mentoring and participation-based youth provision

Indicative Outcomes

The programme is expected to contribute to:

Increased engagement of young people in safe, supportive digital environments

Improved accessibility of youth work for youn…