Children's Fund and the Prevention of Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

• NCJ Number: 224335
• Journal: Criminology & Criminal Justice Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 279-296
• Author(s): Paul Mason; David Prior
• Date Published: August 2008
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In focusing on the evaluation of one early-intervention prevention program in a large English city, this article assesses the United Kingdom’s national program entitled the Children’s Fund, which has the broad aim of countering children’s social exclusion with a view toward reducing youth crime and antisocial behavior.

Abstract

The evaluation found a number of positive outcomes. There were clear perceptions from children, parents, and service providers that the involvement of children and youth in program activities reduced various types of antisocial behavior. There was also evidence that participation in activities improved the quality of life of the children and often their parents by providing them with interests and entertainment. There were also personal-development effects in terms of emotional health, self-esteem, capacity for self-management, development of social skills, and the management of relationships. The program examined evolved from a Theory of Change (ToC) approach that involved working with those responsible for the development and delivery of a program whose design provided a framework for the evaluation. In reflecting the goals of the Children’s Fund (CF), the long-term objectives for services were to reduce antisocial behavior, nuisance, and crime; improve educational attainment and school experience; achieve improvements in social care and health-related measures; and improve children’s and youth’s, as well as their parents’/caregivers’ involvement in decisions that affected them. In pursuing these goals, the program avoided punitive or enforcement actions and offered positive role models that would facilitate the empowerment of children and youth in becoming good citizens while avoiding offending or reoffending. The body that coordinated this effort was the Youth Inclusion and Support Panel (YISP). The YISP coordinated a broad range of programs and services that included mentoring, the Drug and Alcohol Project, domestic-violence counseling, and neighborhood initiatives. 30 references