Inspiring young people

“prevention is better than cure”

A proverb (from Latin: proverbium) is a simple and concrete saying, popularly known and repeated, that expresses a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity.

Early Childhood Adulthood

Leve

l of

Pro

blem

Beh

avio

rs

Trajecto

ry of P

roblems/

Increasing C

osts

Source: PriceWaterhouseCoopers

Age 21, cost per person already = £91 - £121k

Problem behaviours: the earlier we act, the more effective and the less it costs.

Championing evidence based prevention

Smoking

Crime and anti-social behaviour

Disengagement from school

Sexual health

Drug useDrinkingDrinking alcohol is linked to risky sexual behaviour

Dislike of school and missing school are also strongly linked to risk of young motherhood

Disengagement from school is linked to involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour

Drinking regularly smoking and taking illegal drugs are linked to involvement in anti-social behaviour and crime.Young people who drink

alcohol are more likely to skip school and vice-versa

Young people’s risky behaviours are interlinked

Mentor: Thinking Prevention series www.mentoruk.org.uk/publichealth

We need to change our perspective

Research proves• Cautionary stories• Information• Focus on harm or fear• Harsh or inconsistent

punishment

Don’t work

Showing the ‘reality’ of the criminal justice system to young people actually increased the risk of juvenile crime.

For each child delivered to (£55), Scared Straight costs £14,268 to reverse the harm.

Scared Straight and Other Juvenile Awareness Programs for Preventing Juvenile Delinquency: A Systematic Review of the Randomized Experimental Evidence, The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science September 2003 vol. 589 no. 1 41-62

Putting what works into practice

The Good Behaviour Game

First UK randomised controlled trial of programme that improves children’s life chances

Specialised support for parents and carers

Learning from young people

Working with local and community groups

Pioneering work to reduce young offenders’ reoffending

Free resources & training for schools

Working with European partners

Creating positive change with young people