The Child First Strategy Implementation Project: Translating Strategy Into Practice

Stephen Case*, Ann Browning, Kathy Hampson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
59 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The ‘Child First’ guiding principle for practice in the Youth Justice System of England and Wales has a growing international evidence-base and is fully embedded in policy/strategy, yet remains underdeveloped in consistent, coherent practice across local agencies and areas. This raises the potential for a policy–strategy practice implementation gap. Focus-group consultations (n = 11) with professional stakeholder groups (community, custody, strategy, inspectorate, and research) explored perceptions of the practice challenges to understanding, implementing and supporting Child First. Qualitative analysis identified child-centrism, professional relationships and cognisance as pivotal features of the effective realisation of Child First in practice.
Original languageEnglish
Article number5
Pages (from-to)204-230
Number of pages27
JournalYouth Justice
Early online date30 Aug 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • child first
  • child-centrism
  • cognisance
  • collaboration
  • consultation
  • implementation
  • professional relationships
  • strategy
  • youth justice

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