NCJ Number
77168
Editor(s)
T Locke
Date Published
1981
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This British report discusses the aim-setting process, the programing process, and the choice of program activities as vital components of the intermediate treatment (IT) group task, a community-based program for delinquent children.
Abstract
IT aims at maintaining delinquent children in the community as an alternative to residential responses. IT can provide diversion by channeling offenders away from the courts to community-based schemes, and IT can provide prevention by working with those apprehended by the police who are considered to be 'at risk' of committing offenses. In addition to these delinquency-related aims, IT also is oriented toward the personal growth of participants. Personal growth activities give children new experiences or challenges, improve their self-esteem or confidence, enhance their ability to cope with poor home circumstances, alter their negative views of adults, and generally focus on changing debilitating attitudes and behavior. Action plans that can be used in formulating group aims and goals, as well as those for individuals are described. The purpose of planning for IT groups is to ensure that the best arrangements possible are developed to meet the aims set. The stages of development of the life cycle of planning groups and the group work event are described. A discussion of program activities characterizes them as interaction between group staff and group members; interaction between the youths; and interaction between the youth, the staff, and any outsiders with whom the group comes in contact. Categories of activities are identified and described, and activities designed to develop trust awareness between group members are presented. A table shows the group tasks and examples of activities associated with the three stages of group development -- beginning stages, intimacy and productive work stages, and ending stages. Photographs, figures, and approximately 55 references are provided.