Our Mission 

Mill Brook Community Consortium exists to improve the health, wellbeing, and life chances of young people and families in Mill Brook and across Barnet.

Our goal is to use local insight, lived experience, and data-led understanding to address the underlying causes of vulnerability—such as disengagement from education, poor mental wellbeing, social exclusion, and limited access to opportunity—and to replace these with stability, confidence, skills, and progression.

 

Through our personal and social development curriculum, we support young people to strengthen their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Our C.H.O.I.C.E.S  programmes are designed to encourage reflection, build resilience, and increase self-confidence, helping young people develop a strong sense of belonging, purpose, and connection to their community.

At the heart of our work is the C.H.O.I.C.E.S Academy, which provides targeted, early-intervention support for NEET young people, young offenders, and those at risk of social exclusion. Using a sector-based work programme, we focus on industries experiencing recognised skills shortages, creating realistic and achievable pathways into training and employment.

 

Delivery is underpinned by the C.H.O.I.C.E.S Framework, empowering individuals to make informed choices about their futures. Every participant receives one-to-one consultations and personalised assessments to identify strengths, skills gaps, and employment goals—ensuring support is tailored, practical, and outcome-focused.

Ultimately, our goal is to build a safer, healthier, and more resilient Mill Brook community —where young people are supported early, empowered to thrive, and equipped to contribute positively to their community and local economy.

C.H.O.I.C.E.S  Programms  Overview

For YOT • Police • Schools. Community. Young People . Children 

The C.H.O.I.C.E.S Academy  and C.H.O.I.C.E.S  Clubs Diversion Pathway provides a credible alternative to formal sanctions, exclusions, or prosecution, offering structured support at key intervention points.

Suitable for young people who are:

  • At risk of entering the youth justice system

  • Known to YOS or Police (pre-court / out-of-court disposals)

  • Persistently disengaged from school or at risk of exclusion

  • NEET or on the edge of NEET

  • Experiencing emotional, behavioural, or social challenges

What We Provide

  • Rapid engagement and risk-aware assessment

  • One-to-one mentoring and trusted-adult support

  • Structured group activity and routine-building

  • Sector-based, practical learning linked to real opportunities

  • Access to accredited or recognised awards where appropriate

Impact for Partners

  • Reduced demand on statutory services

  • Improved compliance and engagement

  • Clear evidence of “distance travelled”

  • Safer schools and communities

 

 

The C.H.O.I.C.E.S Academy and C.H.O.I.C.E.S Clubs represent a proportionate, preventative, and effective approach aimed at empowering young individuals to make informed choices while systematically addressing the root causes of risk and disengagement.

 

Early Intervention, Prevention & Diversion

(C.H.O.I.C.E.S Academy) &  (C.H.O.I.C.E.S Clubs)

 

The C.H.O.I.C.E.S Academy  and C.H.O.I.C.E.S Club delivers a targeted early-intervention and diversionary programme for children and young people at risk of offending, exclusion, or escalation into statutory services.

Our model is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and engagement-first, supporting young people and children  to stabilise behaviour, improve emotional wellbeing, and build the skills and routines needed for positive progression.

The programme is designed to support:

  • Youth Offending Services (pre-court and statutory)

  • Early Help and Prevention Panels

  • Schools and Pupil Referral Units

  • Police diversion and community safety teams

Delivery combines one-to-one mentoring, structured group activity, and sector-based practical learning, aligned to local skills-shortage areas. Each participant receives a personalised assessment and progression plan focused on reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors.

Key Outcomes

  • Reduced risk of offending and reoffending

  • Improved engagement, attendance, and behaviour

  • Increased emotional regulation, confidence, and decision-making

  • Positive progression into education, training, or employment

 

Promoting Practical Engagement and Positive Outcomes

We deliver hands-on, accredited and non-accredited learning that supports both immediate engagement and longer-term change. Through participation, young people are supported to:

  • Develop emotional regulation, communication, and teamwork skills

  • Engage in creative and vocational activity as a positive outlet

  • Achieve a nationally recognised qualification or award, supporting progression

  • Build constructive relationships with trusted adults and industry professionals

  • Establish routines that promote attendance, responsibility, and consistency

By addressing underlying needs—such as confidence, identity, and wellbeing—alongside skills development, our work contributes to:

  • Reduced risk of reoffending

  • Improved engagement with education, training, or employment

  • Increased resilience and pro-social behaviour

    Our Outcomes

    For Young People and Children 

    • Improved mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing

    • Increased self-confidence, resilience, and decision-making skills

    • Improved engagement with education, training, or employment

    • Reduced risk of offending, exclusion, or long-term NEET status

    For Families and Communities

    • Stronger family stability and community connection

    • Reduced pressure on statutory and crisis services

    • Safer neighbourhoods through early intervention and diversion

    • Increased local participation and aspiration

    For Partners and the Local System

    • Effective early-help and prevention pathways

    • Clear evidence of  positive progression

    • Improved outcomes for priority cohorts

    • Contribution to public health, youth justice, and employment strategies