CM3S049 - Working with Young People and Young Adults in the Justice System 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM3S049
Module Title: Working with Young People and Young Adults in the Justice System
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Criminology
Module Leader: Rachel Brown
Module Team: Helen Martin, Daniel Welch
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2030
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to comprehensively explore the underlying factors contributing to youth and young adult offending, with a focus on England and Wales, including the influence of individual, social, and environmental factors. Additionally, the module aims to examine the pivotal role of assessment and planning in informing intervention strategies to address offending behaviour effectively within the context of the English and Welsh criminal justice systems. Furthermore, it seeks to investigate a diverse range of strategies aimed at fostering and maintaining the engagement and positive involvement of young people and young adults in intervention programmes specific to England and Wales. Moreover, the module aims to delve into the complexities of custody and resettlement processes within the English and Welsh contexts, including the application of constructive and coordinated approaches to support successful reintegration into society. Lastly, it aims to scrutinise various approaches and interventions geared towards facilitating desistance from offending behaviour among children, young people, and young adults within the criminal justice systems of England and Wales.

Content Summary

This module delves into contemporary theories, practices, and empirical evidence pertinent to effectively working with young people and young adults within the justice system. It places particular emphasis on promoting effective practices across several key domains:

Engagement:

·         Exploration of various stages of engagement with young people.

·         Examination of the significance of completion and the role of motivation in sustaining engagement.

·         Discussion on the importance of using rewards and celebrations to reinforce positive behaviours.

·         Strategies for facilitating effective group work with young people.

Assessment:

·         Definition and significance of assessment in the context of working with young people.

·         Consideration of young people's experiences within the assessment process.

·         Examination of the importance of assessment in informing intervention strategies.

·         Identification of essential information sources for comprehensive assessment.

Planning Interventions:

·         Definition and scope of interventions targeting young people within the justice system.

·         Transition from analysis to action: strategies for developing intervention plans based on assessment findings.

·         Methods for monitoring progress and conducting regular reviews to ensure intervention effectiveness.

Custody and Resettlement:

·         Introduction to the \\\"5 Cs\\\" framework (Constructive, Co-created, Customised, Consistent, Coordination) in custody and resettlement practices.

·         Exploration of strategies aimed at facilitating positive outcomes during custody and post-release phases.

·         Consideration of holistic approaches to support young people's successful reintegration into the community.

·         The module also critically examines current theories pertinent to understanding young people and young adults who offend, with a particular focus on how desistance theory is translated into desistance practice.

Theory of Change:

·         Exploration of theoretical frameworks elucidating pro-offending identities, pro-social identities, and neutralisation mechanisms.

Discussion on the role of identity formation and cognitive processes in influencing behaviour change trajectories.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Supervised time in studio/workshop 24
Independent Study 84
Directed Study (including online independent learning) 80
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically evaluate current key criminological theories in the context of applying them to explain why young people and young adults offend and how their behaviour is responded to, which includes exploring the cycle of assessment, planning and intervention.
LO2 Compare and contrast a range of strategies for gaining and sustaining the engagement and positive participation of young people and young adults in interventions, which includes custody and resettlement practices, and desistance.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Student Choice 1 Students choose to produce either an essay, a report or an audio podcast, based on a fictional case study of a young person or young adult in the justice system 25 3000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Student Choice 1

Reading List

16. Deering, John. Probation Practice and the New Penology : Practitioner Reflections. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2016. Web.
17. Deering, ohn, and onathan Evans. “Lost in Translation or a Work in Progress? Developing Desistance-Informed outh ustice Practice in the Welsh Context.” The British journal of social work 51.8 (2021): 3172–3189. Web
18. Gray, Patricia. “ outh Custody, Resettlement and the Right to Social
ustice.” Youth justice 11.3 (2011): 235–249. Web.
19. Hampson, Kathy S. “From the Mouths of Dragons: How Does the Resettlement of Young People from North Wales Measure Up … In Their Own Words?” Youth justice 16.3 (2016): 246–262. Web.
20. Hazel, Neal, and Tim Bateman. “Supporting Children’s Resettlement (‘Reentry’) After Custody: Beyond the Risk Paradigm.” Youth justice 21.1 (2021): 71–89. Web.
21. Sampson, Alice, and Spyros Themelis. “Working in the Community with oung People Who Offend.” Journal of youth studies 12.2 (2009): 121–137. Web.
22. Shaw, . “Why Do oung People Offend in Children’s Homes? Research, Theory and Practice.” The British journal of social work 44.7 (2014): 1823–1839. Web.
23. Sheehan, Rosemary., Gill McIvor, and Chris. Trotter. Working with Women Offenders in the Community. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2010. Print.
24. Skrzypiec, Grace. “Adolescents’ Beliefs About Why oung People Commit
Crime.” Australian journal of guidance and counselling 23.2 (2013): 185–200. Web.