DOING SOMETHING WITH OUR LIVES WHEN WE’RE INSIDE Self-Directive Groupwork in a Youth Custody Centre

Abstract

This paper describes the development of groupwork practice at an open youth custody centre in Nottingham from February 1987 to February 1989. It was started by Nottingham Probation Officers linking with a voluntary sector project, and later developed to include Team Resources for Youth, a project working with young black people. The article gives background to how the work arose, both through previous local initiatives, and through careful planning between February and October 1987. It describes the underlying social action principles and values behind the work, and how these affected practice. It concludes with an evaluation of the work by young men and the agencies involved, and suggests implications for future policy and practice.

Publisher’s note: We are now putting all back issues of Groupwork on line. Articles in this issue have been scanned to pdf files as viable original typesetting files no longer exist. Though they may not look it, these files are to some extent searchable. This issue was published nearly 30 years ago. We have stated author professional details as received at time of publication