Early intervention is a smart solution

Caps is one of five early intervention and family support projects funded by the DHSSPS.  They are delivered by the voluntary sector and aim to prevent offending by children. Vulnerable children are identified by police officers, social workers, education welfare officers and others after coming to their attention for behaviour that in an older child would constitute an offence or where the level of anti-social behaviour indicates a potential for ongoing or more serious offending.

The projects work co-operatively with schools and other services, but primarily with the child and family to address the circumstances contributing to the child’s behaviour. While these circumstances can be individual to the child, they can also be as a result of family, community or school factors. Rarely are they within the capacity of the child or family to resolve without help, but the child may not yet have crossed the threshold for statutory intervention. The five projects together work with around 300 children and families per year.

The case for early intervention

The Caps project is currently being evaluated. One finding has been that the cost of one intervention programme, like that provided for Michael and his mother, is between £5,000 and £6,000 per year. This is a cost; however there are no savings in not intervening.  For instance, the cost of Michael’s school place is the same whether he attends or not. The cost of not intervening cannot easily be calculated.  However, the Independent Commission on Youth Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour recently published a detailed estimate of the potential cost of a child entering the youth justice system, including the costs of police investigation, court appearances, youth justice supervision and a stay in custody. They calculate that, by the time a young person like Michael, below, was 18, the cost of not intervening early was £125,000 more than the cost of intervening earlier.

Michael’s story

Michael was 12 years old, when he was referred to NIACRO’s Child and Parent Support Project (Caps) by an Education Welfare Officer. At the time Michael had not attended school regularly for a year.  He had both experienced bullying and been aggressive towards others.  Relationships between him and his mother and older sister had also become increasingly tense. There was growing concern in the local community about Michael’s anti-social behaviour and he had been involved in fire setting incidents.

Caps staff focussed primarily on the relationship between Michael and his mother, addressing issues of her separation from Michael’s father and the latter’s alcohol addiction. With staff help, behavioural boundaries and parental controls were re-established.Individual work with Michael focussed on managing his feelings, particularly anger, and helping him examine his behaviour and its consequences. During the summer holiday period, staff involved Michael in structured daily activity and explored school issues with him. Michael eventually agreed to an education assessment which demonstrated that he had learning needs not previously identified. In the new school year, he was accepted into an alternative education provision.

One year on and Michael has completed a full year at school with unbroken attendance. He has joined a local church based youth organisation and found a Saturday job. Michael’s mother, more confident about her relationship with Michael and with life at home, has sought advice on returning to work and is now actively searching for employment opportunities