Our History

1986

ISS (Intensive Support Scheme) was formed, with a management board consisting of representatives from Social Services, Youth Services, Education, Probation, Police and Magistrates and hosted under the umbrella of the Worcester Diocesan Board for social responsibility. A pioneering emergency overnight placement (EOP) service was developed for 10- to 17-year-olds in custody detained by police pending a Court hearing. This meant that they were not kept in a police cell overnight, and allowed for a detailed assessment of their circumstances prior to attending a first Court hearing.

1999

YSS secures funding from the Youth Justice Board to deliver a Bail Support Service across Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and funding to pilot a Volunteer Appropriate Adult Service. Both services support those aged between 10 and 17 years old. To read more about the Appropriate Adult service please visit the service page on our website.

2000

After changing its name from “ISS” to “YSS (Youth Support Services)” in 1994, YSS is registered as an independent charity and company limited by guarantee. The first chair of Trustees is Tricia Bradbury MBE DL JP.

2003

YSS is a delivery partner for the ESF funded service, Connect, managed by West Mercia Probation Trust. Connect is about delivering through the gate support for people serving prison sentences of 12 months or less across the West Midlands. Connect offered joined up services, a collaborative approach, and achieved impressive outcomes in the five years of delivery.

2008

HRH The Princess Royal became our Patron. Click here to read more.

2011

YSS secures four years funding from the Lloyds Bank Foundation to increase the understanding of YSS staff and volunteers around mental health illness for people in the Criminal Justice System. YSS also becomes a registered UK centre for Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH).

2013

YSS gains its largest single contract to deliver early help services, through a service called EnHance commissioned by Shropshire Council, for young people and their families aged 0-19 years. YSS drops “Youth Support Services” from its name, becoming “YSS”, as services expand to support young adults, adults, and families

2019

In 2019, YSS launched our innovative #MORSE service funded by West Mercia PCC. #MORSE was an innovative partnership between YSS and the Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire Fire Rescue services. The service aimed to support individuals committing driving offences using both a behaviour change programme and holistic whole person support.

In 30+ years, we have developed a strong track record of engaging some of the most under-supported people in society. We have built up a number of specialities surrounding key strands that run through all our services, including Employability, Education and Training, and Mental Health Support. YSS currently delivers 17 services, and makes a difference to over 2,000 people a year.

2020

In 2020, YSS was successfully in securing funding from Worcestershire County Council for a two year ‘Families First’ pilot supporting children and young people across Worcestershire affected by parental imprisonment. This was the first service of its kind in the county and during the two years, we supported 40 families across the county. We also developed a Families First handbook, which was a one stop guide from arrest to release for professionals and families looking for support and information about parental and familial imprisonment – Families First

2021

During 2021, we developed our theory of change. YSS’s impact focuses on developing people’s emotional resilience so they can thrive and feel that they belong in their local community. For more information, click here

2022

2022 – YSS and The Open University team launch official Open University evaluation of the Families First pilot at The Houses of Parliament. Following the launch, Rt Hon Caroline Noakes mentioned the work carried out by YSS and raised the importance of the need for formal identification of these children in society. For more click here.

In 2022, YSS developed its four-year strategy encompassing the theory of change and all aspects of our volunteering, and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion strategy. YSS has also embarked on a project of digital transformation where we changed all our computer systems and databases, as well as our referral mechanisms.

2024

YSS continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation with the development of our MORSE Youth service, working alongside West Mercia Youth Justice service and funded by the PCC. MORSE Youth works with under 18-year-olds committing driving offences, through the delivery of a behaviour change programme focused on impulsivity, decision making and peer pressure.