Understanding preventative intervention in youth justice – London event

The findings of new research, focussed on the Child First approach to youth justice, will be discussed at an event at the ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ London campus on November 23.

The research is part of a growing body of work by the University’s criminologists, which calls for young people that come into contact with the youth justice system to be treated as ‘children’ and not ‘offenders’.

Advocates for Child First Justice argue that taking this approach can enhance lives, reduce offending, promote safer communities and lead to fewer victims.

The ‘Understanding preventative intervention in youth justice: Context, Mechanisms and Outcomes’ study has been led by ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ’s Professor Steve Case and colleagues from the University’s Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy division, working with academics from the Universities of Birmingham and Leeds.

The research, funded by the , has reviewed preventative interventions in the youth justice system, in a bid to understand not only the circumstances in which some reoffending programmes work for children, but how and why they work.

Its findings and a series of recommendations will be discussed at an in-person event at the ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ London campus on Wednesday 23 November, from 1-5pm.

Aimed at professionals working with children across a range of areas, such as youth justice, social work, health, and education, the event will feature representatives from the Youth Justice Board, Youth Offending Teams, and the Youth Custody Service, alongside academic experts.

Speaking about the event, Professor Case said: “We are excited to share the findings from our latest research with those directly involved in youth justice and discuss how together we can continue to improve the outcomes for children entering the justice system.”

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