A Hard Sell for a Soft Option? YJB Convention November 2007 [email protected]

A Hard Sell for a Soft

Option?

YJB Convention

November 2007

[email protected]

Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projectswww.nch.org.uk

1998 Remand for young people aged 10 – 16 on Conditional Bail or Remand Into Local Authority Accommodation as an alternative to custody (also PACE and Emergency Placements) 2002 Post Custody for young people aged 16/17 who would be homeless on release from custody

Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects

HISTORY of Family PlacementService

2005 Intensive Fostering An alternative to a custodial sentence for 10 – 17 year olds where home circumstances have contributed to offending – Wessex (Hants, Ports, S’oton, IOW) Pilot

(2006 Intensive Fostering extended to London)

2007 “ Fusion” Fostering Short placements based on learning from Remand and Intensive Fostering


Why an alternative to custody?

• Disproportionate involvement in suicide/self harm attempts• 60% receive community sentence or are acquitted after a secure remand• Poor long term outcomes - nearly 80% re-offend within 2 years• Risk of bullying, labelling, stigmatisation• Inconsistent access to education • Consistent access to illegal substances• Mental health problems (57% suffering from depression)• Those with differential need placed together• Potential distance from home/community support• Variable access to post placement support

Overwhelmingly the children in custody will have suffered the same multiple disadvantages as

CLA


Characteristics of children placed

53% are not receiving education, training or employment

91% have poor family relationships with disrupted and disadvantaged backgrounds

78% have problems with drugs or alcohol

57% have experience of the care system

41% have self-harmed or attempted suicide

20% have experienced physical abuse

Many have extensive criminal histories with charges including theft, burglary, criminal damage, robbery, arson, assault, indecent assault,

attempted murder, unlawful detention and vehicle crime

MENTORINGCOGNATIVE- BEHAVIOUR VICTIM -AWARENESSRESTORATIVE- JUSTICEISSPSUBSTANCE -MISUSESUPERVISION

Cus

tody

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EMPLOYMENTCOMMUNITY- SUPPORTAPPROPRIATE- ACCOMMODATIONSTABILITYSECURITYPOSITIVE -CITIZENSHIPSUCCESSFUL- RELATIONSHIPS


Why does behaviour change? Removal from home environment/peer pressure Support and stability – some one to talk to AND to listen Carers are non-confrontational but impose clear boundaries ETE routines are established and hobbies and activities developed

Wider Benefits of a Family Placement A successful placement will impact on sentencing Family relationships can be re-established There can be an increase in self-esteem Self-care skills and independence enhanced

Cheaper and more effective than custody.

Young Person

Birth Family

NCH Suppor

t Worker

Foster Carers

Remand Post/Custody FOSTERING TEAM

Social Worke

r

Yot Officer



Intensive Fostering (Multi Dimensional Treatment Foster Care)

‘Professional fostering will provide specialised, highly intensive care for a serious young offender

who might otherwise face custody. For some young offenders a difficult home life can directly contribute to their offending behaviour. Fostering will provide

these young people with the safety and stability they need to turn their lives around.’

David Blunkett Home Office Press Release 29 September 2004.

“Intervention which tackles the particular factors (personal family, social education, health) that put the young person at risk of offending and strengthens protective factors”

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Young Person

Birth Famil

y

Family Therapis

t

Skills

Trainer

Foster CarersIndividual Therapist

INTENSIVE FOSTERING

TEAM PDR

Caller

Yot Officer

Sch

ool

Social

Worke

r


Teaching co-operation by encouragement ……..See it! Notice it! Reinforce it!

Model it! Be interested! Move on!

Parent Daily Report helps to:•Deal with small problems before they become big ones. •Tailor the treatment and plan to the child’s needs •Detect patterns or cycles of behavior problems.

Point and Level System •Shared expectations and understandings.•Opportunities to support and encourage.•Consequences.•Let the programme do the work.


A Hard Sell for a Soft Option? YJB Convention November 2007 [email protected]

Documents

Transcript of A Hard Sell for a Soft Option? YJB Convention November 2007 [email protected]