STEP – Support to Tackle Exploitation and Peer Abuse
Sometimes relationships, friendships, or things happening at home can feel confusing, stressful, or unsafe. You might not know who to talk to or worry that people won’t understand.
The STEP Support Programme provides 12–weekly one-to-one sessions in school, giving you a safe and private space to talk with a trained support worker.
The programme helps you understand relationships, talk through anything that’s worrying you, and find ways to feel safer and more confident. You’ll get support to recognise unhealthy behaviour, build self-esteem, manage difficult emotions, and learn about boundaries, consent, and your rights.
Together, you and your STEP worker will create practical plans to help you stay safe, cope with challenges, and move forward in a way that feels right for you — at your own pace, without judgment.
Alongside this, STEP also runs the Preventative Programme, a 12-week programme for young people who want support to build healthier relationships and make positive choices. It helps you understand respect, boundaries, consent, emotions, and how your actions can impact others. It’s not about blame or getting into trouble — it’s about learning, growing, and developing safer, more confident ways to handle relationships and situations.
Whether you need support because of something happening to you, or you want help making changes yourself, STEP is here to support you.
What Can STEP Help With?
You can engage in the STEP programme if you are:
- Feeling controlled, pressured, or scared in a relationship
- Dealing with arguments or unhealthy friendships
- Experiencing abuse at home or from someone close to you
- Being harassed or pressured online
- Feeling worried about exploitation or unsafe situations
- Struggling with confidence, boundaries, or trust
You don’t have to wait until things get really bad — if something doesn’t feel right, that’s enough.
What Happens in the Sessions?
Together with your STEP worker you might:
- Talk about what’s been happening.
- Learn what healthy relationships look like
- Understand boundaries, respect, and consent.
- Make a plan to help you feel safer.
- Build confidence and coping skills.
- Get support with things affecting your wellbeing.
There’s no pressure and no judgement — you go at a pace that feels comfortable.
Support for Changing Behaviour
STEP also supports young people who are worried about their own behaviour in relationships.
If you’ve:
- Lost your temper
- Been jealous or controlling
- Said or done things you regret
- Found relationships getting intense or unhealthy
You’re not in trouble. This is a chance to understand what’s going on and learn better ways to handle emotions and relationships. The focus is on learning, respect, and positive change.
How do I get referred?
You can speak to a trusted teacher or staff member at your school who can make a referral for you.
· Or you can make a self-referral with our online referral form, or contact Hayley Bawden, Tokko Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Officer via Hayley.Bawden@tokko.co.uk, 01582 544990.
Further information for professionals
STEP – Support to Tackle Exploitation and Peer Abuse
STEP delivers specialist 12-week, one-to-one programmes within schools to support young people affected by abuse and those showing early signs of harmful relationship behaviours.
Delivered by Tokko’s IDVA, ISVA and CDAA trained Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Officer, the programme provides structured, trauma-informed intervention at an early stage — helping schools respond effectively to safeguarding concerns while supporting positive long-term outcomes.
The programme recognises that young people under 16 yrs often experience domestic abuse, exploitation, and peer-on-peer harm but do not meet age thresholds for other specialist external services. By bringing support directly into education settings, STEP enables early identification, risk reduction, and sustained support within a familiar environment.
Two Pathways Available
- Primary Intervention– Young People Experiencing Abuse
For young people who may be victims of domestic abuse, exploitation, or harmful peer relationships. Sessions focus on safety, understanding abuse, emotional wellbeing, and recovery. - Preventative Programme – Harmful Relationship Behaviours – For young people displaying concerning attitudes or behaviours within their relationships. The programme promotes accountability, healthy relationship skills, emotional regulation, and respectful communication, supporting prevention before behaviours escalate.
Both pathways are delivered confidentially in school, alongside safeguarding collaboration with designated staff.
What does the 12-week programme include?
Each young person receives tailored one-to-one sessions covering:
- Understanding healthy and unhealthy relationships
- Consent, boundaries, and respect
- Recognising abuse and exploitation
- Emotional awareness and regulation
- Safety and support planning
- Online safety and peer pressure
- Building resilience and confidence
Content is adapted according to individual need and risk.
How is this different from classroom education programmes?
STEP provides individual specialist intervention. Work is needs-led, risk-informed, and delivered by advocacy-trained practitioners with safeguarding expertise.
What are the signs a student may benefit from referral?
Possible indicators include:
- Sudden behavioural or emotional changes
- Controlling or jealous behaviour in relationships
- Disclosure of relationship conflict or fear
- Social withdrawal or increased anxiety
- Online harassment or peer conflict
- Sexualised or harmful language or behaviours
- Known domestic abuse within the home
- Concerns raised through safeguarding processes
A formal disclosure is not required to refer.
Safeguarding Best Practice
STEP works collaboratively with the school’s safeguarding lead and relevant agencies. Risk assessments inform intervention, and information sharing follows safeguarding procedures while maintaining young person engagement wherever possible.
Will parents or carers be informed?
Parental involvement is considered on a case-by-case basis in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, the young person’s safety, and professional judgement.
What outcomes can schools expect?
- Increased student safety and wellbeing
- Improved understanding of healthy relationships
- Reduced harmful behaviours and conflict
- Earlier safeguarding intervention
- Better engagement with support services
How much staff time is required?
Schools provide a safe private space and a key safeguarding contact. STEP manages programme delivery, planning, and intervention work.
How do we make a referral?
Referrals can be made by safeguarding leads, pastoral teams, SENCOs, or other education professionals, via our online referral form or by contacting Hayley Bawden, Tokko Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Officer (IDVA/ISVA/CDAA).
Early referral is encouraged — support does not require a high-risk threshold.
Call
01582 544 990
Send Email
Hayley.Bawden@tokko.co.uk
Lead worker
Hayley Bawden, Tokko Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Officer