Youth Justice

Leap has delivered transformational courses in the secure estate since 1995. The Leadership programme was developed and trialled in South Africa and the UK. Programmes have run successfully in Feltham, Rochester and Holloway for over six years and are now being offered in two other YOI’s.

Leap believes that in order to affect lasting change in the lives of young people it is vital to offer them more than just a training programme. The young people also need an opportunity to practice the skills they have developed.
Young people who participate in the Leadership Programme can go on to become role models and mentors for other young people joining the programme, as well as supporting officers to recruit young people onto the programme.

Leap provides:

• Staff training to develop and practise communication and conflict resolution techniques when working with challenging young men in a custodial setting
• A structured, group work intervention for young men to explore the patterns of behaviour and conflict they experience
• A specialised training programme to support officers to run group work and sustain the work in the prison

In 2010:
47 Prison Officers attended Leap training
57 young people accessed the programme
All young people completing the course completed OCN level 1 in Personal Leadership in Conflict. It is also possible to offer these units at level 2.

The programme can be offered to young offenders on remand, or those who are sentenced.

To discuss our work in the secure estate please call on 020 7561 3700 or contact Amanda Nelmes.

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