Exploring the impact of music on children at risk of contact with the criminal justice system
ISSN: 1757-8043
Article publication date: 2 February 2023
Issue publication date: 27 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Previous research has demonstrated the positive impact of participation in a music programme run by a Youth Offending Team in England (Caulfield et al., 2020). While the previous research focused solely on children involved with the criminal justice system, the purpose of this current paper is to report findings from research extended to young people identified as ‘at risk’ of involvement with the criminal justice system, vulnerable, or disengaged.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach was taken, using quantitative measures of the primary outcomes (educational engagement, well-being, musical development and attitudes and behaviour), complemented and extended by semi-structured interviews with a sample of participants.
Findings
Analysis of the quantitative data from 57 participants showed significant improvements in self-reported engagement with education, musical ability and well-being. In-depth interviews with 11 participants added a depth of understanding about children’s experiences of the programme and the impact they felt, providing a safe space and improved confidence and well-being.
Originality/value
This paper builds on previous research in schools and youth justice settings by presenting findings on the impact of a music programme on the educational engagement and well-being of children identified as at-risk of offending, vulnerable or disengaged.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the young people and staff involved in the music programme and this research. The help of staff at the Youth Offending Service – in particular the music programme leader – was invaluable in collecting the data and enabling the research to be completed.
Funding: This work was supported by Birmingham Children’s Trust.
Citation
Caulfield, L. and Sojka, B. (2023), "Exploring the impact of music on children at risk of contact with the criminal justice system", Safer Communities, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 121-132. https://doi.org/10.1108/SC-08-2022-0032
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited