Evidence-based core messages for youth justice
In our October 2023 Academic Insights paper, Ursula Kilkelly sets out ten key messages from the research literature for an evidence-based approach to youth justice policy and practice.
As is recognised, there is a need to blend key findings and insights from a range of disciplines and types of research, as well as from across jurisdictions; we should never expect to find all the evidence by looking too narrowly in one place. Nevertheless, there are some remarkably clear and consistent messages emanating from the research literature. Young people who come into conflict with the law tend to have multiple needs, with adversities located at the individual, family and community levels. It is clear that one-size-fits-all approaches do not work, and that an individualised, rights-based and child-centred approach is required, treating each young person in line with their age, development and specific needs. Attention should be given to establishing positive, supportive, respectful and trusting relationships – with a focus on the voice of the child – and to both the immediate and longer-term supports which are required to facilitate positive pro-social development and social inclusion.
The paper also recognises the need for the evidence base to continually evolve and to bridge the gap between research, policy and practice. Within the inspectorate, we will continue to collaborate with academics and external researchers in numerous ways – looking to utilise and maximise the knowledge, experience and skills across the research community – and we will use all evidence to develop our inspection programmes and to consider system-wide change that could change children’s lives for the better.
The paper can be accessed via the link below.