Child First: examining children’s collaboration in the Youth Justice System

This project will explore children’s participation and engagement in youth justice processes and practices.

The number of children aged 10-17 years entering the Youth Justice System (YJS) is decreasing. Those remaining have multiple, complex, and often unmet needs exacerbated by pandemic restrictions. The risk management approach typically used by the YJS restricts children’s meaningful participation in youth justice processes. Systemic issues, combined with evolving views about children who offend, have led to the ‘Child First’ principle. This policy unveiled in the Youth Justice Board Strategic Plan 2021-2024 makes a clear commitment to ‘meaningful collaboration with children’.

The effectiveness of involving children in policy and practice is typically conceptualised by adult professionals, restricting our understanding of what measures children find helpful and effective. This knowledge gap will be addressed through participatory research with children at different stages of the YJS.

Completion of the research will address four research questions:

• How do children understand their collaboration in the decision-making process?
• What do children believe should be the objectives and benefits of the collaborative process, and does this differ from the views of adult professionals?
• How do children experience effective practice and collaboration, and how do they believe it should be measured?
• What is the nature of children’s ‘Child First’ experiences and how could they be improved?

A project reference group (PRG) of 10 children involved with a selected Youth Offending Team will work as co-creators and researchers over a 12-month period. For the fieldwork, a sample of 55 children aged 10-17 involved in the YJS will explore their experiences of collaboration, perceptions regarding the goals or collaboration, and the criteria they view as necessary for measuring effectiveness. Date collection methods will be co-created with the PRG and will include interviews, digital diaries, and creative approaches. The research team will present evidence to key stakeholders such as children, parents/carers, policymakers, managers, practitioners, inspectors, academics, and third sector organisations. Child friendly documents for Youth Offending Teams will be produced alongside training and guidance addressing the research questions.