Citation

Staines J. Safer Communities 2017; 16(3): 102-111.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Emerald Group Publishing)

DOI

10.1108/SC-01-2017-0005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to provide a response to a recent government-commissioned review of residential care (Narey, 2016), and the subsequent government response (Department of Education (DfE), 2016), which minimises the correlation between the experience of being looked after and becoming involved in the youth justice system. The Narey review emphasises on the role of early adversity in looked after children's offending behaviour but minimises the significance of experiences during and after care, and downplays the effect of policies and practices that may exacerbate looked after children's involvement in the youth justice system.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The paper builds upon a systematic literature review conducted for the Prison Reform Trust (Staines, 2016) to demonstrate the extent of current knowledge about how risk factors, adverse experiences during and after care and the criminalisation of looked after children combine to increase the likelihood of involvement in criminal proceedings. The paper also highlights gaps in the research evidence, particularly in relation to gender and ethnicity.

FINDINGS The findings suggest that the Narey review (2016) and the government response (DfE, 2016), are misguided in their attempts to minimise the role of care in looked after children's disproportionate representation within the youth justice system. The paper cautions against the over-simplification of a complex relationship and emphasises on the importance of recognising the intersection between different factors.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE The paper uses secondary sources to develop an original argument to rebut claims within a recently published review.

Language: en

Keywords

Foster care; Looked after children; Narey review; Residential care; Youth justice; Youth offending