Youth and school engagement

Surrey Police would like to offer their support to schools and colleges in Surrey to aid their delivery of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, aiding the development of an increasingly positive culture. 
 
As a Force, we have been working to ensure that the way we engage with schools is consistent, competent and clear - we know how important it is to continue building trust with children, young people and their communities in order to help keep them safe, happy and healthy. Our Youth Engagement Officers (YEOs) play a key part in engaging with schools.  

Our updated Universal Youth Engagement Offer for Yr R, 4, 7, Colleges and two SEND (Special Educational Needs) lessons have developed and written by a PSHE consultant using local data and feedback from our YEOs, who lead the visits. This ensures the content is engaging, thought-provoking and educational. 

These inputs are to be delivered in conjunction with the schools and colleges, who best know their students and can ensure that important messages are continued to be delivered throughout the academic year. 

The overarching message for the pupils is that of safety, resilience and building positive relationships - the sessions include information about who we are, how we can help and how children can keep themselves safe at home and in the community.  

What can we offer?

Our engagement with schools is strength-based and trauma-informed in line with best-practice evidence and research. Our approach is informed by guidance from Surrey County Council and the PSHE Association and supports the development of a Surrey Healthy Schools approach. 

Our support aims to work in partnership with schools to help teach young people skills and knowledge to enhance personal resilience and community cohesion, in order to deal with and manage situations that they may face. 

An updated and refreshed educational toolkit for YEOs has been created with session plans professionally written to enhance the pupils’ learning experience. 

For EYFS Year R (ages 4-5) pupils the main learning points are: 

• Getting to know a YEO 

• Understanding what a YEO does  

• Knowing ways police can help children 

• Knowing how to ask for help if needed  

For Year 4 (8-9 years) pupils the main learning points are: 

• Understanding what a YEO does 

• Knowing ways police can help children 

• Knowing how to ask for help if needed 

• A day in the life of a YEO 

For Year 7 (11-12 years) pupils, the main learning points are: 

• Understand what a YEO does and how they can help children stay safe, now and in the future 

• Recognise how children their age can help themselves stay safe 

• Personal safety 

• Know how to ask for help 

For KS5 (16-19 years) 

• Understand what a YEO does and how they can help children and young adults stay safe, now and in the future 

• Recognise how children and young adults their age can help themselves stay safe 

• Personal safety 

• Know how to ask for help 

For SEND, Lesson Plan 1 includes: 

• Introductory session suitable for all ages 

• Understand what a YEO does 

• Learning some of the way that a YEO can help children 

For SEND, Lesson Plan 2 includes: 

• Follow-up session suitable for all ages 

• Recognise some ways that children can feel safe 

• Recognise people who can help them feel safe  

• Know how to ask for help if needed 

Each session includes the opportunity to ask questions about topics important to them, as well as try on police uniform and engage with police officers in a positive way.  

If your school is interested in an educational visit from one of our inspiring YEOs, please complete this form which will be reviewed by our Youth Engagement Team. 

Youth Engagement Request Form

Surrey Police also support the Surrey Safer Communities Programme for Schools. 

Empowering professionals with free, digital teaching resources designed for Year 6 classrooms. The programme helps children build confidence and stay safe in their communities, supporting the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education curriculum and the Healthy Schools approach. 

This programme complements the community safety initiatives led by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Surrey Police, creating a consistent and collaborative trauma informed approach to keeping young people safe.    

Request of copy of the Safer Communities Programme Digital Teaching Resource 

Our Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme offers a great opportunity to engage with young people. 

Surrey Police Cadet Scheme | Surrey Police 

Please contact [email protected] to discuss how you or a young person you know can get involved. 

Useful links:

Safer Communities Programme | Healthy Surrey

Surrey Healthy Schools | Healthy Surrey

Education Programme from Surrey Fire and Rescue - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

Family Information Service - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)