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An evaluation of summer plus: a cross departmental approach to preventing youth crime.

This report presents the findings of a small scale, qualitative study carried out between June and September 2002 with the aim of evaluating the extent to which the Summer Plus program has been successful in reducing street crime in 34 Local Education Authority (LEA) areas across England. The report provides a brief overview of the Summer Plus program, including implementation issues, delivery models, recruitment and training of key workers, recruitment of young people thought to be at risk of becoming involved in crime, the activities and experiences of the key workers and the young people, continuity and exit strategies, value for money and accountability. A variety of flexible, client-centred and needs led activities were offered to young people, with developmental approaches to activity provision which usually included an explicit educational component, having the most impact on the young people. The study found that the impact of the programs on the young people who participated was extremely positive, revealing improvements in self confidence, empathy with others, respect for authority figures and a will for positive change. Few systematic assessments were carried out and no evidence was found of formal assessment packages. Exit strategies were not in place in all areas. Initial follow-up data suggests that a high proportion of those eligible are returning to education. Finally, early indications are that crime by young people has decreased more in Summer Plus areas that in the rest of England.

This report presents the findings of a small scale, qualitative study carried out between June and September 2002 with the ...  Show Full Abstract  

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
CRG Research (Great Britain)
Date: 2003
Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain
Resource type: Report
Series name: DfES research report
Subjects: Youth; Evaluation

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