Keeping kids on right track

Jonathan Crossley-Holland, director of children's services, spoke after three youths were given long jail sentences.

Lewis Barlow, aged 14, and Leon Gray, 15, both of Winn Gardens, were detained for 12-and-a-half years after kicking to death father-of-five Colin Greenwood, at Middlewood tram stop.

Callum Daniels, 15, from Manor, has been locked up for five years after admitting robbery, sexual assault, escape, burglary and rape.

Mr Crossley-Holland said: "We are working extremely hard to make sure that every young person has enough opportunities to inspire them, so that they are not distracted by criminal activities.

"Where a family is struggling, we will offer all the help we possibly can."

The council said it offers a number of services to troubled families and children at risk of offending.

It funds the Youth Offending Team, which works with young people already convicted of crime, to help them change their behaviour, while support workers assist families.

Mr Crossley-Holland added: "Our Early Years Education and Childcare Service offers parenting classes at sites all around the city."

There are also Children's and Sure Start Centres working with families with very young children, offering health, learning and play services.

Youth activities are provided by Sheffield Futures, while organisation SHED works with young people who have drug and alcohol problems, helping to direct them to appropriate support groups.

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