L&D Referral factors & How they Affect Engagement & Crime Desistence
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Contributing Factors Causing a Referral into the Youth Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service, and How These Factors Affect Engagement and Desistance in Criminal Activity
IRAS ID
244351
Contact name
Delphine Theobald
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kingston Univeristy
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
The Youth Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service (YCJL&D service) works with young people who come into contact with the criminal justice system and assesses them to identify any vulnerabilities which might have influenced their offending behaviour. Once the vulnerability is identified, the YCJL&D service then diverts the young person out to an appropriate service, which can support their vulnerability, as well as making police or the court aware of these vulnerabilities. The YCJL&D team can support the young person further by attending first appointments to sign-posted services with them or researching further information with them, for example. \nThis study will research whether there are specific demographic factors and other factors that cause a young person to be more likely referred to the youth criminal justice liaison and diversion service in Berkshire, and compare those demographics between males and females. The study will then investigate whether these contributing factors have an effect on the engagement with the service. By highlighting these contributing factors the service can establish techniques to engage those young people who might statistically be harder to engage.\nThe research paper then aims to investigate why young people believe they have desisted from criminal activity following an intervention from the YCJL&D. This will inform the YCJL&D service of what young people understand to be the most productive way of being helped, and therefore help reduce criminal behaviour in the youth in Berkshire. \nThe information about the contributing factors is already recorded during the screening process so this information is already gathered. The interviews will take place at a place that the young person choses; home or school. \nThe study will be investigating young people referred to the YCJL&D service, eligible candidates for referral are aged between 10-18years old, have an open police case and must reside in Berkshire. \n \n
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0209
Date of REC Opinion
1 May 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion