The 'Buddi Tag' Evaluation

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Key Findings

Here we have summarised the key findings from the evaluation results, if you would like to read our reports please see here

  • The Buddi Tag programme engaged 57 young people aged 12–18+ over an average of 52 days (ranging from 7 to 234 days).
  • Participants were referred by various agencies, including Early Help (35%), the Police (19%), and Social Workers (19%), primarily due to concerns about vulnerability to exploitation (49%) and offending behaviour (47%).

 

  • 32 of 57 participants had recorded positive outcomes: re-engagement with services, returning to education/training, stronger family connections.
  • Young people reported the tag helped them avoid risky situations, change routines, and reconnect with positive activities.
  • Young people reported feeling more confident in their ability to make good choices and succeed.

 

I wanted to get some freedom back and knew this would help, I really wanted to see my friends and show everyone I could be trusted.

  • Young people felt a greater sense of control over their lives, noticing they could influence what happens to them rather than feeling things just “happen.”
  • Mental wellbeing improved, with young people feeling more positive and resilient, though some continued to benefit from ongoing support.

I changed friends and it helped me stay away from certain people.

  • The highest engagement with the programme was in South Kent; the programme was widely accepted by young people and professionals.
  • We found that professionals valued the timely support given by the VRU co-ordinators, and the data they could enquire about to help their young people (such as location tracking).

  • Suspected offences fell from 81% pre-tag to 47% four to six months after removal.
  • Average offences per participant dropped from 4.8 → 1.8.
  • Suspected violent offences reduced from an expected 144 → 88, potentially preventing 56 offence

I could use the tag as an excuse if I didn’t want to do anything. People would see it and not give me alcohol or not want to be with me, which I know was a good thing.

  • Before wearing the tag, young people were reported missing for an average of 2.9 days per three months.
  • After removal, this dropped to 1.1 days, with levels remaining low over the following nine months.

The Buddi Tag programme not only supports young people but also represents good value for money. Key figures from the evaluation include:

Running the Buddi Tag programme for one year cost approximately £53,300. This includes:

  • £27,000 for renting 10 Buddi Tags (£225 per tag per month)
  • £26,300 for staff time (programme lead and tag-fitting staff)
  • With 57 young people participating, the cost worked out to about £935 per participant, or £17.65 per day that a tag was worn.

The evaluation found that violent offences were reduced from an expected 144 to 88 over nine months for 36 young people, meaning 56 potential violent offences were avoided.

Using government estimates for the societal cost of a violent offence (£5,930–£14,050 per offence), these avoided offences could save between £83,000 and £200,000.

Return on Investment: The potential savings exceed the cost of running the programme, suggesting that the Buddi Tag programme not only supports young people but could also generate substantial financial benefits for society.