Description
The general objective of the project „Breaking Point“ is to prevent the recidivism of juvenile delinquents, rising the efficacy of local supportive networks and applying a new social programme as a prevention tool. 20 teams of two-specialists will be built and educated to work with the groups of juvenile delinquents and other youngsters with risk behaviour. Teams start working at youth centres and applying a created social programme at 20 youth centres in area of 12 counties. The social programme consists of components of social skills, peer- and community-based learning. It will be designed as a long-term prevention programme, which is applicable with 13-17-year-olds at risk in a youth centre. The effect of the programme will be measured among 160-180 youngsters. Finally, about 130 specialist of networks will be trained to support the choices and behaviour change of youngsters with high risk behaviour and their parents.
Summary of project results
The general objective of the project ‘Breaking Point’ was to prevent the career of juvenile delinquents, rising the efficacy of local supportive networks and applying a new social programme ‘Breaking Point’ as a preventive tool. Project's objectives were achived, the results are: - there is a new juvenile sanction measure – the social programme ‘Breaking Point’, which is directed to enhance the self-directed and social skills of youngsters with risk behaviour between the age of 13 and 17. The practitioner handbook is available in Estonian and Russian on the Internet. - there are 40 youth field specialists, who are trained to apply the preventive programme ‘Breaking Point’ in groups of youngsters with risk behaviour. Altogether, there are 20 tandems of implementers, who have applied the preventive programme in 12 counties of Estonia, including a Russian-speaking tandem. - from September to December 2015, the tandems have implemented the programme ‘Breaking Point’ in youth groups. The programme consists of two individual counselling sessions (before and after the programme) and 12 group sessions, that are based on the methods of non-formal learning. - the impact of the programme was measured using the data from 214 youngsters and 209 parents, also from 31 youngsters from control group. In accordance with the study, participation in the programme diminished the probability to start a quarrel or offend a person. During the programme, first, parents noticed the increase of their children’s prosocial behaviour and satisfaction with the life situations and, second, the decrease of the level of children’s impulsivity, hyperactivity and behavioural problems. - during the cooperation, which was needed in project activities, the partners have raised the level of coordination of their local networks including youth centres more effectively in it. - there are 163 specialist from project partners’ networks, who attended the courses during the project. In addition, there are 122 specialists of youth field, who attended the final conference of the project and receive knowledge on new methods available in preventive youth work.
Summary of bilateral results