This paper examines some emerging evidence in relation to the impact of recent organisational cha... more This paper examines some emerging evidence in relation to the impact of recent organisational changes in the delivery of youth justice services, and the implementation of National Standards for youth justice, on occupational culture in work with young offenders. It considers the potential conflict between traditional child centred youth justice practice and the new priorities set for Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, and it draws attention to the possibility of a divergence in philosophy and practice between Wales and England. The paper highlights the uneasy philosophical differences that co-exist within YOTs, and it explores the respective perceptions of qualified practitioners and social work students on placement, concerning the state of current practice. Finally, the implications for those involved in the education and training of social work students are briefly considered.
This thesis is about the operation of the youth justice bail process, between initial arrest and ... more This thesis is about the operation of the youth justice bail process, between initial arrest and sentence (or other final case outcome), in a particular area of England and Wales (known here as Baytown). Following a review of the literature on youth justice bail services, and a critical discussion of the methodology used, the study examines the outcomes of the bail process in Baytown over a three-year study period. It analyses the usage of the different options available for the granting, restriction and denial of young persons' right to bail, by comparing court bail decisions with key case characteristics. In undertaking this analysis, the study not only explains how systematic bail decisions were during the study period, but also shows the impact of these decisions on later stages in the youth justice process, such as sentencing. However, the study also moves beyond quantitative discussion and analysis of the Baytown youth justice process. It does so by explaining the operation of the process in terms of the attitudes towards it of those who have a say in bail decisionmaking in Baytown. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative techniques, including surveys, semi-structured interviewing and participant observation, is therefore used to explain how local Youth Offending Team staff, local youth court magistrates, and young people on bail perceive the process which their own decisions help to shape. The study concludes by arguing that, despite recent Government rhetoric and policy, widespread discretion continues to exist at local and individual level within the youth justice bail process. Future Government policy in this area must therefore acknowledge the role of discretion in youth justice, rather than simply ignoring or attempting to eradicate it, if bail services for young people are to become more systematic and effective. 2 Declaration and Statements DECLARATION
Finally, we would like to acknowledge the generous financial support of the Esmée Fairbairn Found... more Finally, we would like to acknowledge the generous financial support of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation without which this report would not have been possible.
individuals. His concept of 'professional dangerousness' is discussed in detail with many causes ... more individuals. His concept of 'professional dangerousness' is discussed in detail with many causes of this being cited. This theme is taken further in a later chapter which discusses the cause of 'organizational dangerousness'. Phil Heasman looks at how the professional domain is integral to interventions and he provides advice on how this can be recognized and incorporated in assessments and interventions to 'tip the balance' towards safety and positive outcomes rather than toward risk and danger. The second section in the book entitled 'Operational considerations' contains a further eight chapters providing practical practice guidance to assist the professional in completing assessments and providing interventions utilizing practice models which recognize the complexity of this task and address the many deficiencies in government guidance, discussed earlier in the book. It is these chapters which provide some hope to the disillusioned practitioner faced with the task of completing another risk assessment within a seemingly impossible time frame, which may or may not prevent or reduce harm to a child. Therefore this book has joined the carefully selected pile on my desk which are regularly dipped into, usually at moments of desperation when, yet again, a way forward with a case seems to be unachievable. I will again recommend this book particularly to child protection practitioners, but for anybody involved in assessing risk relating to individuals it will provide an insight into contemporary theory, policy and practice and it may provide some answers to the overwhelmed professional responsible for this uncertain work.
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College London is an independent charity that ... more The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College London is an independent charity that informs and educates about all aspects of crime and criminal justice. We provide information, produce research and carry out policy analysis to encourage and facilitate an understanding of the complex nature of issues concerning crime.
This paper examines some emerging evidence in relation to the impact of recent organisational cha... more This paper examines some emerging evidence in relation to the impact of recent organisational changes in the delivery of youth justice services, and the implementation of National Standards for youth justice, on occupational culture in work with young offenders. It considers the potential conflict between traditional child centred youth justice practice and the new priorities set for Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, and it draws attention to the possibility of a divergence in philosophy and practice between Wales and England. The paper highlights the uneasy philosophical differences that co-exist within YOTs, and it explores the respective perceptions of qualified practitioners and social work students on placement, concerning the state of current practice. Finally, the implications for those involved in the education and training of social work students are briefly considered.
This thesis is about the operation of the youth justice bail process, between initial arrest and ... more This thesis is about the operation of the youth justice bail process, between initial arrest and sentence (or other final case outcome), in a particular area of England and Wales (known here as Baytown). Following a review of the literature on youth justice bail services, and a critical discussion of the methodology used, the study examines the outcomes of the bail process in Baytown over a three-year study period. It analyses the usage of the different options available for the granting, restriction and denial of young persons' right to bail, by comparing court bail decisions with key case characteristics. In undertaking this analysis, the study not only explains how systematic bail decisions were during the study period, but also shows the impact of these decisions on later stages in the youth justice process, such as sentencing. However, the study also moves beyond quantitative discussion and analysis of the Baytown youth justice process. It does so by explaining the operation of the process in terms of the attitudes towards it of those who have a say in bail decisionmaking in Baytown. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative techniques, including surveys, semi-structured interviewing and participant observation, is therefore used to explain how local Youth Offending Team staff, local youth court magistrates, and young people on bail perceive the process which their own decisions help to shape. The study concludes by arguing that, despite recent Government rhetoric and policy, widespread discretion continues to exist at local and individual level within the youth justice bail process. Future Government policy in this area must therefore acknowledge the role of discretion in youth justice, rather than simply ignoring or attempting to eradicate it, if bail services for young people are to become more systematic and effective. 2 Declaration and Statements DECLARATION
Finally, we would like to acknowledge the generous financial support of the Esmée Fairbairn Found... more Finally, we would like to acknowledge the generous financial support of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation without which this report would not have been possible.
individuals. His concept of 'professional dangerousness' is discussed in detail with many causes ... more individuals. His concept of 'professional dangerousness' is discussed in detail with many causes of this being cited. This theme is taken further in a later chapter which discusses the cause of 'organizational dangerousness'. Phil Heasman looks at how the professional domain is integral to interventions and he provides advice on how this can be recognized and incorporated in assessments and interventions to 'tip the balance' towards safety and positive outcomes rather than toward risk and danger. The second section in the book entitled 'Operational considerations' contains a further eight chapters providing practical practice guidance to assist the professional in completing assessments and providing interventions utilizing practice models which recognize the complexity of this task and address the many deficiencies in government guidance, discussed earlier in the book. It is these chapters which provide some hope to the disillusioned practitioner faced with the task of completing another risk assessment within a seemingly impossible time frame, which may or may not prevent or reduce harm to a child. Therefore this book has joined the carefully selected pile on my desk which are regularly dipped into, usually at moments of desperation when, yet again, a way forward with a case seems to be unachievable. I will again recommend this book particularly to child protection practitioners, but for anybody involved in assessing risk relating to individuals it will provide an insight into contemporary theory, policy and practice and it may provide some answers to the overwhelmed professional responsible for this uncertain work.
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College London is an independent charity that ... more The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College London is an independent charity that informs and educates about all aspects of crime and criminal justice. We provide information, produce research and carry out policy analysis to encourage and facilitate an understanding of the complex nature of issues concerning crime.
Uploads
Papers by Noel Cross