What is the SAFE Taskforce? 

Building on a successful three-year programme in Bradford, the Department for Education announced a further year of funding for the SAFE Taskforce in Bradford from April 2025 to March 2026.

The extension of the programme recognises the need to support targeted, local responses to serious violence and acknowledges the important role that engaging in education can play in keeping children away from violence. The extension of the SAFE Taskforce acts as a direct contribution to the UK Government's Safer Streets and Opportunity missions. 

SAFE stands for Support, Attend, Fulfil, Exceed. The Taskforces will bring together mainstream schools to commission evidence-based interventions to Support young people with challenging behaviour, enabling them to Attend school regularly, so they can Fulfil their potential and prevent costly poor life outcomes by inspiring them to Exceed their expectations​.

Ten areas in the country have been selected to set up a SAFE Taskforce led by mainstream secondary schools.

The 10 SAFE areas are:

In Bradford, the SAFE Taskforce is being led by Exceed Academies Trust.

SAFE Taskforces harness the leadership, expertise and distinct position in children and young peoples’ lives held by schools, as they work collaboratively with multi-agency partners and experts across their local authority area.  

Their purpose is to make a tangible difference in young people’s lives, through commissioning and investing in evidence-informed interventions which tackle serious violence either directly, or through improved behavioural/attitudinal indicators and increased engagement in education. 

Please see the links to the right for further information.