SOLVE Professional Training Program

The Centre for Youth Violence and Conflict

SOLVE The Centre for Violence and Conflict CIC have developed a specialised training programme accredited by Open College West Midlands.

Curzon Building

SOLVE: The Centre for Youth Violence and Conflict aims to critically address causes 
of violence and conflict through Research, Training, Workshops, Consultancy, Advocacy 
and Street Based Youth Work.At SOLVE we pride ourselves on delivering a high-quality learning experience, be it within 
our specially selected venues across the UK, online, or within your own office space.
 Through our experience of working with clients across a range of sectors such as criminal 
justice, education, social care, health, sport, and the voluntary sector, we understand 
how training works and have the know-how to design and deliver programmes that really 
make a difference.

Craig Pinkney is a Criminologist, Urban Youth Specialist, and Chief Executive of SOLVE: The Centre for Youth Violence and Conflict. Craig is an experienced youth worker and academically holds a BA (Hons) in Youth &amp; Community Development (JNC), Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, Post Graduate Certificate in Research, Masters Degree in Criminology and is currently a PhD Researcher in Social Sciences at Birmingham City University. Craig has over 18 years of experience as an outreach worker, transformational speaker, international gang exit strategist, training facilitator, mediator, mentor and filmmaker. Craig Pinkney is nationally and internationally known for working with some of the country's most challenging young people, potentially high risk offenders, victims of gang violence and youth who are deemed most hard to reach. Craig specialises in the area of Urban Street Gangs, Youth Violence, Social Media, Race and Crime, Racism and Anti-Racist Practice. Due to his area of expertise Craig is the currently UK lead for the EU Gangs Project, an advisor for several bodies such as the National Youth Agency (UK), The Children’s Society (UK) Police and Crime Commission Office (West Midlands), Norfolk County Council (Children’s Services), Violence Reduction Unit (Birmingham and Nottingham) and the Ministry of Justice in Jamaica.In 2021 Craig founded ‘Solve Online Learning Centre’ which is an online platform that provides remote video CPD to professionals within Education, Criminal Justice, Social Care, Youth, Community and Families. In the same year Craig also established ‘Solve Housing’ which is supported living accommodation for young people 16+ across the West Midlands.

Wednesday 17th August 09:30 - 16:30OCN Level 3 Responding to Youth Violence through Youth WorkAimThe course aims to enable learners to understand the factors that cause young people to join deviant groups who may be involved in different forms of violence and criminality. They will understand how to apply youth work theories, models and approaches in a range of settings, and will understand the implications of current policies and practices when supporting young people involved in criminality and living in environments where crime and violence are commonplace. Learners will be able to reflect on and share own learning about ways to address issues around youth violence.Learning Outcomes 1.	Understand the factors that cause young people to join deviant groups who may be involved in different forms of violence and criminality. 2.	Understand how to apply youth work theories, models and approaches in a range of settings.3.	Understand the implications of current policies and practices when supporting young people involved in criminality and living in environments where crime and violence are commonplace. 4.	Be able to critically, self-reflect and to share learning with others about ways to address issues around youth violence.

Thursday 18th August09:30 - 16:30OCN Level 3 Peer MentoringAimThe course aims to enable learners to understand how peer support can help to build skills and resilience. They will understand the role of the mentor in a mentoring relationship and will understand methods of building positive relationships with mentees. Learners will be able to build positive relationships with mentees and will understand the need for boundaries and confidentiality in the mentoring relationship. Learners will understand how to match mentors and mentees and will be able to take the role of the mentee.Learning Outcomes 1.	Understand how peer support can help to build skills and resilience.2.	Understand the role of the mentor in peer mentoring.3.	Understand methods of relationship building between mentors and mentees.4.	Be able to build good working relationships between mentor and mentee.5.	Understand boundary and confidentiality issues in the roles of mentor and mentee.6.	Understand how to match mentors and mentees.7.	Be able to take the role of a mentor.

Friday 19th August 09:30 - 16:30OCN Level 3 Tackling County Lines and Criminal ExploitationAimThe course aims to enable learners to understand the evolution of county lines, youth violence and gang culture. They will understand the key drivers for and indicators of county lines activity and gang membership. Learners will understand the role of young women in criminal and sexual exploitation. They will understand the impact of early intervention in cases of criminal and sexual exploitation. Learners will understand gang culture and will know about local and national resources to support young people involved in county lines and gang activity and sexual and criminal exploitation.Learning Outcomes 1.	Understand the evolution of county lines, youth violence and gang culture.2.	Understand the reasons for and indicators of young people’s involvement with county lines and gangs.3.	Understand the role of young women in gang culture and criminal exploitation.4.	Understand the impact of early intervention in cases of criminal and sexual exploitation and gang activities.5.	Understand gang culture.6.	Know about local and national support available to young people.

Method of Delivery 
Face to Face 
Assessment
Teaching and assessment is designed to be accessible and inclusive for all learners. The methods of assessment are thorough and suit both individuals and groups of learners. Methods of assessment may include:
•	Assignments
•	Self-reflective work
•	Presentations
•	Multimedia

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