NCJ Number
63838
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling, Services and Rehabilitation Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (FALL 1979) Pages: 43-52
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS ACTING TO PREVENT GROUP JUVENILE DELINQUENCY ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
INCREASINGLY, IN SOCIAL WORK, THE GENERAL PRACTITIONER IS BEING REPLACED BY THE SPECIALIST. ON THE OTHER HAND, SOCIAL PROBLEMS ARE MORE COMMONLY SEEN AS ROOTED IN COMPLEX NETWORKS OF MULTIPLE CAUSES. A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM CAN ATTACK THESE MANY CAUSES THROUGH THE USE OF SPECIALISTS WORKING AS A TEAM. THE USE OF SUCH A TEAM TO HELP PREVENT GROUP DELINQUENCY IS BASED ON TWO ASSUMPTIONS: THE CONCEPT OF THE MULTICAUSATION OF DELINQUENCY; AND THE NOTION THAT THE DELINQUENT GROUP OPERATES AS AN OPEN SOCIAL SYSTEM CONSISTING OF PARTICLES INTERACTING OVER TIME IN INTERSYSTEMIC LINKAGES, WHERE CHANGES IN ONE PART OF THE SYSTEM MANY AFFECT OTHER PARTS. TEAM MEMBERS WOULD INCLUDE THE STREET-CORNER GROUP WORKER, THE FAMILY CASE WORKER, THE COMMUNITY WORKER, AND THE PROBATION OFFICER. EACH TEAM MEMBER IS ASSIGNED A DIFFERENT ASPECT OF THE PROBLEM AND OVERALL DECISIONS ARE MADE AT WEEKLY MEETINGS. TEAM MEMBERS ARE 'DONATED' FROM APPROPRIATE SERVICE AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY AND KEEP THESE AGENCIES CONTINUALLY INFORMED. THE APPROACH CAN BE DESCRIBED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE SUITED TO THE NATURE OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND TO THE PROFESSIONS EMERGING TO MEET THOSE PROBLEMS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)