Desistance, adversity and trauma: Implications for practice with children and young people in conflict with the law
In our September 2023 Academic Insights paper, Jonathan Evans, Tricia Skuse, Dusty Kennedy and Jonny Matthew set out a practice agenda for youth justice that supports desistance from offending processes, engages with social adversity and trauma, and helps to empower children and young people to work towards their pro-social goals.
Recent learning from Wales is highlighted, more specifically from the introduction and delivery of Enhanced Case Management. Based on the Trauma Recovery Model (TRM) – which has links to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and attachment theory – it is a form of relational work that aims to mitigate the impact of developmental trauma and focuses on the positive development of the child/young person.
A key conclusion is that a twin-track approach is required which: (i) engages with children and young people as unique individuals; and (ii) engages proactively with the wider social contexts that shape their lives and experiences.
“Failure to appropriately balance a psychological and sociological approach to helping children and young people risks preventing them achieve a balanced and contented life. It also risks denying them equality of access to vital support.”
The paper can be accessed via the link below.