Digital Youth Work Pilot Programme: Supporting Young People's Online Safety

The London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is inviting organisations to a market engagement session on Wednesday 5th August 2026 at 10:00 AM via MS Teams to learn about an upcoming procurement for the Online Harms Digital Youth Work Pilot Programme. Background: The VRU is committed to preventing violence and protecting children and young people from harm through a public health approach. Digital environments present both opportunities and risks for young people aged 11-25, with online harms increasingly linked to broader safeguarding and violence reduction concerns. Opportunity: The VRU seeks delivery partners to pilot innovative digital youth work approaches that extend relationship-based youth work into online spaces, strengthen safeguarding, and enable early intervention. The programme is structured into three optional lots: (1) Supporting high-need and digitally dependent young people, (2) Early intervention and prevention of online harms, and (3) Universal digital youth work and positive opportunities. Who Can Apply: Individual organisations or partnerships/consortia with expertise in youth work, digital youth work, safeguarding, online harms prevention, and/or supporting vulnerable young people. Providers do not need strength in all areas if working in partnership. Contract Details: Up to £650,000 excluding VAT from November 2026 to March 2029 (£390,000 core funding with optional £260,000 extension). Bidders may apply for one, two, or all three lots. Target Audience: Young people aged 11-25 across London, including those with SEND, experiencing vulnerability, in care, affected by violence, or facing barriers to traditional youth services, plus universal provision for all young people. Expected Outcomes: Increased engagement in safe digital environments, improved accessibility for hard-to-reach young people, strengthened online harm prevention, enhanced digital citizenship, increased workforce capability, and development of scalable models and evidence. Next Steps: Register for the market warming session via Eventbrite (link provided). Attendance is optional and non-binding. For questions, contact vruprocurement@london.gov.uk.