CM4S162 - Working with Children and Young People in the Criminal Justice System 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2029 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM4S162
Module Title: Working with Children and Young People in the Criminal Justice System
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Criminology
Module Leader: Jennifer Maher
Module Team: Daniel Welch, Paul Lewis, Daniel Welch, Helen Martin
First Intended Intake: Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100483 - criminal justice 100484 - criminology
HECOS Code Weighting: 50 50

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2029

Module Aims

This module will explore ethical and effective practices with children and young people who are involved within the Criminal Justice System. The module will require students to critically analyse the theories that underpin offending behaviour, with a specific focus on children and young people who are at risk of or have committed a crime. To support the theory embedded within this module, and to provide authentic learning opportunities, students will engage in practice-based activities based on stakeholder scenarios and enable students to challenge and critique current practice

Content Summary

To consider the processes of the youth justice system and its treatment of young people from its infancy to a contemporary view.

To consider safeguarding, assessment and interventions used in youth justice.

To critically analyse youth justice theory, policies and procedures and apply them to aspects of youth justice practices.

To critically analyse all aspects of the process from pre- court interventions to detention (considering Police/YJS/YOI/SCH/&Third Sector roles).

To engage in practical workshops that highlight multi-agency and group work elements to working with young people, considering victims, the young person who has been charged and reflecting the young person's' voice. Examples are: a referral panel/pre court diversion process/restorative circle. Case studies will be used to provide authentic learning experiences.

To debate key issues set by stakeholders within the youth justice system allowing collaboration between academia and practice in youth justice.

Guest lectures from stakeholders and researchers in youth justice to allow students to consider real time research in the field and gain experience of contemporary issues.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 28
Independent Study 150
Directed Study 20
Active/Simulation Based 2
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically analyse the main ideas, themes and discourses that underpin competing insights and policy responses to offending behaviour by children and young people.
LO2 Critically assess theories underpinning offending behaviour and apply these to the practical processes involved in the delivery of youth justice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A concentrated inquiry into a single case or subject. Students will be given a selection of ‘cases’ and asked to build a case study that involves: describing the problem, putting the problem in context, examining the causes of the problem, identifying evidence-based solutions to address the problem, suggesting new solutions, considering the challenges of implementing those solutions, and reflecting on the implications for policy, practice and future research. 0 3500 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Case study 1

Reading List

Arnez, J. (2022) Negotiating class in youth justice – professional practice and interactions. Routledge

Aubrey-Johnson, K., Lambe, S., and Trite,.J. (2019) Youth Justice Law and Practice. Legal Action Group

Case, S., (2021) Youth Justice – A Critical Introduction, 2nd Ed, UK: Routledge