Young People in Care and Criminal Behaviour

Claire Taylor is currently working in the area of crime reduction. She has previously worked at the universities of Nottingham and Lancaster. This book is based upon her doctoral research undertaken at Lancaster University.

It begins by analysing past research, critically examining current policy and combining theoretical insights from the disciplines of childcare and criminology in order to form a theoretical framework for research. The empirical evidence of thirty-nine interviews with young people who have been through the care system is then drawn upon to highlight key findings and conclusions about the relationship between care and crime, and the implications towards current policy. Addressing issues such as: - the residential care experience- developing secure attachments in the context of care- experiences of education- life after care, These powerful examples show the flaws, failures and successes of the various childcare services by offering insight into the reality of young peoples experiences.- Unprecedented government attention towards young people in care makes this title highly topical.- New Perspective - A wealth of new material has been published relating to aspects of public care system, however the relationship between care and crime remains neglected.- Forward-Looking - Offers pointers to future research, and recommendations for policy and practice in an increasingly dynamic current policy climate.

Acknowledgements. Foreword, David Smith, Lancaster University. Introduction. Part I: Setting the Scene. 1. What do we know about experiences of care - and after? 2. The current policy climate. 3. Introducing the research study Part II: Young Peoples' Experiences. 4. Exploring the residential care experience. 5. Developing secure attachments in the context of care. 6. Experiences of education. 7. Life after care: Coping with independence. Part III: Conclusions. 8. Key findings and implications for policy and practice. References. Index.