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By Tim Chapman.

Russell House Publishing
4 St George’s House
The Business Park
Uplyme Road
Lyme Regis
Dorset DT7 3LS

£39.95

This package is intended to be delivered by members of youth offending teams, and to enable facilitators to design programmes suited to meet the specific needs of young people. It contains plenty of materials to create modules and sessions.

The first part, a textbook, contains three sections, community, relationships and process. Within each section are chapters which enable the user to research the individual setting in order to select content and develop their own programme. Chapman is profoundly aware of the young people’s backgrounds, culture and viewpoints. With this knowledge, he enables facilitators to develop their own empathic awareness.

The second part, a workbook, looks at processes and contains many carefully structured exercises. These are planned to generate dialogue aimed at achieving specific results that benefit both the individual and the wider community. Chapman states that thorough preparation by facilitators is vital as it sets the tone for the process, and acknowledges the potential for difficult dynamics within the work. He states that commitment and competence are required from all parties.

Time to Grow is a thoroughly researched and accessible guide. All of the programmes are tried and tested, and those who use it are given a clear structure on which to base their chosen content. The breadth and depth of research which has gone into this programme is evident. Tim Chapman’s value and respect of young people has enabled him to produce materials which, when used with good planning, will directly enable participants to reflect on the processes they have experienced, and to use those reflections to create self-awareness.

The writer has had many years’ experience of working with young people known to the probation service in Northern Ireland. He invites users of his programme to feed back to him on their findings of working with this training resource.

Tony Goodman is a senior lecturer in social science at Middlesex University social services and health department.