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The role of education in enhancing life chances and preventing offending

This Home Office research report looked at ways of handling problem behaviour amongst children and young people in schools. It found a list of key factors which appear consistently to improve interventions and work with children and young people. These include: ensuring that pupils are treated equitably and with respect; establishing a positive working environment; atmosphere and ethos; working with parents in a co-operative and equal partnership.

Title: The Role of Education in Enhancing Life Chances and Preventing Offending
Authors:Home Office Research, Development & Statistics Directorate
Series: Development & Practice Report 19
Number of pages: 30
Date published: May 2004

'The Role of Education in Enhancing Life Chances and Preventing Offending' looks at the role education can play in promoting individual life chances and reducing the likelihood of the onset of offending behaviour. The report is based on the findings from 4 projects funded under the Home Office Crime Reduction Programme:

• Crime Reduction in Secondary Schools (CRISS) Programme: A large-scale programme, that sought to identify school-based measures which reduce actual and potential offending amongst secondary school pupils.

• Children Missing from Education: A study of young people who are persistently absent from school or other forms of education.

• Alternative Education Initiatives (AEIs): A joint HO and DfES study which evaluated 6 case study AEIs selected on the basis of their promising approach to re-engaging disaffected young people.

• Behaviour Management for Looked After Children in Residential Care: A small study that examined practical approaches to the management of young people in local authority residential care.

Findings

The report identifies key factors for the delivery of interventions, which reduce problem behaviour amongst children and young people. These include:

Work with Pupils

• Ensuring that pupils are treated equitably and with respect

• Establishing a positive working environment, atmosphere and ethos

• Providing opportunities for pupils to improve their sense of self-worth and accept responsibility for their actions, through the illustration of their consequences

Work with Parents

• Working with parents in a co-operative and equal partnership

• Establishing key relationships between pupils and their families and school

Delivery

• Ensuring whole school commitment

• Building initiatives into existing systems

• Recognising the importance of project management and the importance of multi-agency working

• Recognising and using individual staff abilities and strengths and ensure staffing remains consistent

Getting a copy

Download 'The Role of Education in Enhancing Life Chances and Preventing Offending' from the RDS website PDF 113Kb

Last update: 05 May 2004