About the YJB
Research
Strategy and recent publications
The YJB is committed to developing and expanding research into what works in preventing and reducing youth crime. Our 2008-11 research strategy aims to strengthen our effective practice evidence base and meet our corporate targets and effective practice agenda.
The strategy sets out the policy and practice priorities that drive the research agenda. These include:
-
assessing of the effectiveness of interventions
-
improving understanding of the causes of youth crime
-
obtaining comprehensive knowledge of all findings on youth offending
-
identifying gaps in the research knowledge base
-
making and maintaining links with the academic research community
- communicating research findings to managers and practitioners.
Research strategy 2008-11
Click below to read the standards on which YJB research is based:
Research Methods and Findings - NOMS Standards [opens in new window, 50Kb PDF document]
Informing effective practice
The principal aim of our research programme is to inform the practice of managers and practitioners working with young people. This is done via the YJB’s Key Elements of Effective Practice guidance documents, which focus on a selection of key topics. It also seeks to provide evidence that can constructively influence central policy decisions.
The YJB is committed to sharing good practice with managers and practitioners and is working to develop a database of emerging practice by youth offending teams (YOTs) across the country to facilitate this exchange. We are also aiming to promote greater rigour in both our work and the work that is undertaken locally. We are encouraging YOTs to use the joint YJB/RDS/NOMS research standards that we adhere to for all our projects in their local level research and evaluation. These are included within our research strategy.
We would welcome feedback on research being undertaken externally that has links to the YJB’s agenda and ongoing research.
Click to view any current tenders for research.
Click to search or browse all the YJB's publications and research.
To contact the YJB’s research team, call 020 7271 3016, or email nisha.patel@yjb.gov.uk.
The YJB is not able to offer grants for external projects and suggest that those interested in securing funding for youth justice research apply to the ESRC grant scheme.
Academic research
The YJB welcomes and encourages academic research and debate that will influence policy and practice at a national and local level. Although we are not able to offer grants for external projects we seek to support universities and other organisations interested in making bids to research councils, or conducting in-house research in areas of policy and practice that are key to the youth justice system’s future development. We will consider each proposal on its individual merits and require the following two pre-requisites for the YJB to support external research.
- The research adheres to the YJB and RDS/NOMS research standards for impact and reconviction studies, it adheres to the Cabinet Office’s ‘Quality in Qualitative Research’ standards if a qualitative study and if a systematic review, it is conducted in accordance with the Campbell Collaboration guidelines.
- The area of research will enhance the existent knowledge base or fill gaps in knowledge.
The research team is happy to discuss the YJB’s key priorities with those who are interested in gaining our support for such bids or research, with a view to delivery of a final report to the YJB.
Key studies
In conjunction with RDS/NOMS, we have commissioned three major, longitudinal studies to assess the effectiveness of the current youth justice system. Click to find out more.
Recent research
-
Cross-national comparison of Youth Justice
This study focuses on comparative patterns in youth justice approaches, policy and provision across jurisdictions.
It also considers the pressures that countries face in relation to youth justice, and looks at common models and principles within systems.
Click to access the full report or the research summary.
-
12-month ISSP
Based on the 12-month programme which was piloted in 11 Intensive Surveillance Programme (ISSP) schemes, this is the final report on ISSP.
Most young people spend six months on the programmes. Between 1 October 2004 and 30 September 2005 an extended, 12-month, ISSP was piloted in 11 ISSP schemes.
This publication summarises the evaluation and research findings of the pilot.
Click to access the full report or the research summary.
-
Keeping Young People Engaged
An evaluation of the Keeping Young People Engaged education, training and employment project (KYPE).
The evaluation highlights approaches adopted by practitioners, including frontline staff and managers. Improvements and recommendations are also provided.
Click to access the full report or the research summary.
-
Groups, gangs and weapons
An exploratory study in to groups, gangs and weapons was recently published to fill gaps in knowledge on this subject.
The research involves a review of literature and relevant statistical sources, a survey to Youth Offending Team (YOT) managers and interviews with practitioners and young people in five case study areas.
Click to access the full report or the research summary.