Tooting MP visits King’s to see embedded youth work
16 September 2026 - Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP visited the Emergency Department at King’s College Hospital to discuss how the Trust’s long-standing partnership with Redthread helps young people at risk.
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP visited the Emergency Department at King’s College Hospital to discuss how the Trust’s long-standing partnership with Redthread helps young people at risk.
The MP for Tooting met with Chief Executive Matthew Trainer, staff from the Emergency Department and the Redthread youth work team to learn more about the successful partnership that brings youth violence intervention and prevention to the front door of the hospital.
Redthread, part of the Catch22 charity group, uses a young person’s attendance at hospital as a ‘reachable moment’ – an opportunity to offer support. Working alongside clinical teams, youth workers explore the wider circumstances surrounding a young person needing help and support from the Emergency Department. They work to identify any safeguarding concerns and support young people to disclose issues that may not otherwise emerge through their clinical care.
Dr Lalarukh Asim, Clinical Director for Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma Consultant King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “There can be a range and complexity of needs that sits behind a young person’s presentation to the Emergency Department. Our partnership provides an important bridge between hospital and community services, supporting vulnerable young people with crucial safeguarding and violence-reduction services, alongside any other specialist provision they may need. It’s about providing the right access, at the right time.”
King’s College Hospital NHS Trust has worked with Redthread since 2006, when both organisations pioneered the UK’s first hospital-based Youth Violence Intervention Programme (YVIP). The model has since helped inform the development of similar hospital-based services nationally, supporting young people who have been affected by violence, exploitation and domestic abuse.
In 2025/26, the Redthread King’s College Hospital YVIP service provided 70 young people under the age of 25 with confidential support. Helping them to engage with their healthcare to understand and reduce any risks. Also assisting them with other services such as housing, mental health, education, training, justice and community-based support. Redthread advocates for young people, helping to ensure their views and needs are understood by the professionals and agencies involved in their care.
Marike van Harskamp, Head of Policy & Public Affairs at Catch22, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with King’s College Hospital: together, we pioneered the very first hospital-based violence prevention partnership in Europe, inspiring the emergence of embedded youth work in A&Es at national scale to break cycles of knife crime and harm.
“We support the most vulnerable children to find a positive, safe way forward in their lives. Our Redthread services are committed to drawing the line on violence impacting children and young people – together.”
Redthread also provides training and expertise to NHS staff, including teams working in children’s services, trauma care and maxillofacial outpatient settings, with a particular focus on trauma-informed approaches and contextual safeguarding.