Mind the Gap: A process evaluation of a wraparound approach to treating childhood offending

Abstract

Childhood offending is an increasingly worrying issue due to its immediate risks as well as the long-term negative outcomes for these children. Children who offend at young ages continue a pattern of offending well into adulthood, causing major damage to society and their own lives and communities. To date in New Zealand, there has been no treatment programme specifically targeted at child offenders under age 14. The programme described in this research was the first attempt at creating such a service based on a wraparound framework. The aims of this research were to describe and evaluate the operation and processes of this programme via interviews with the staff involved in the programme. The qualitative study examined the successes and shortcomings of the programme and which of its components or systemic issues contributed to these outcomes. Results of broad themes showed that: (1) There was a clear need for this programme due to a gap in services, a deficit-based attitude among professionals, transience of services and young people and their families not having a voice; (2) Programme implementation was made difficult by institutional processes but helped by supervision, training and gaining recognition from other services; (3) The programme resulted in significant relational change between the social workers, the young people and their families, characterised by improved communication, trust, and adopting a broader focus; (4) Behaviour change was difficult to sustain as children were not in the programme for long enough, had strong antisocial influences and plans were not robust enough, although positive outcomes were seen when plans were flexible and included increased contact with families; (5) Systemic issues that hindered programme success included the reputation of statutory social workers among families, poor interagency collaboration, a risk-averse attitude to case management and not enough time and resources. The findings from this research are discussed in relation to their implications for such programmes, as well as the systems which guide how programmes are implemented and operated. An understanding of why children offend so early in their lives and how best to intervene is crucial to changing their negative life trajectories.