The Keeping Out of Trouble program will enable secondary schools to provide interventions targeted at students who are, or are at risk of, committing criminal offences. By developing the students' awareness of victims, the consequences of their actions and sensitive issues, as well as by encouraging students to engage in self-reflection, students will develop the strategies, knowledge and understanding to support themselves in making informed choices about their behaviour and future actions. This essential resource is based on a program that was developed by staff in the Youth Offending Team and The Hillingdon Pupil Referral Unit, who recognised that students needed more support.
Key Features
- Initial tutorial session followed by 16 group sessions and a final self-evaluation and target setting session.
- Aims to meet various objectives, including developing consequential thinking and victim awareness.
- Encourages the development of self-reflection skills and personal insight.
- Supports young people in understanding the consequences of their behaviours.
- Promotes empathy and cooperation among students and facilitators.
Additional Information
The program fits in with the Every Child Matters agenda, tackling the "Be Healthy", "Stay Safe", "Enjoy & Achieve", and "Making a Positive Contribution" aims. These strands of support aim to meet the following objectives:
- To enable students to develop an understanding of restorative work and ways that they can engage in this kind of work.
- To enable students to develop an awareness of their own feelings and the ability to label, identify and express these feelings in a safe way.
- To further develop confidence and self-assurance.
- To develop a sense of responsibility and locus of control, that is, to have internal control.
- To encourage students to develop a range of strategies to preempt and avoid anti-social and offending behaviours.
- To encourage facilitators and students to cooperate as joint problem-solvers, engaging in wide-ranging discussions around key issues.
The program is aimed at all young people, especially those who have demonstrated anti-social or criminal behaviour, a group of young people of a similar age, and young people who have not been identified as prolific offenders.
Specifications
