by Lauren Revans
I had a definite sense of deja-vu this weekend reading reports about the Institute for Public Policy Research calling for more care to be taken around the issuing of antisocial behaviour orders to children. The think-tank – along with Community Care, children’s charities, the children’s commissioner and others – has been making similar demands for years. But it would seem that all have so far fallen on deaf ears.
In a nut shell, we all seem agreed that Asbos should not be a first port of call for children; that there are often many more supportive options available for tackling children’s poor behaviour; and that, when it is considered appropriate to issue an Asbo to a child, it must be reviewed regularly and coupled with support.
So why, after years of pointing this out to the politicians and policy makers has precious little changed? The bottom line is that the government still equates a rise in the numbers of Asbos issued with progress, while the rest of us see it as a sign that all the preventive measures discussed at great length over the years have failed – or not been given the chance to succeed.
The IPPR is suggesting ‘Sure Start Plus’ centres for five- to 12-year-olds as the solution. These centres would offer activities, therapies and interventions to children and their families, targeting resources at the most at-risk.
This is not rocket science. Every Child Matters, Youth Matters, the Children's Plan: all have recognised the importance of positive activities, early intervention and family support in nipping children’s behavioural problems in the bud. But, when push comes to shove, it is these sorts of services that are first to face the chop when budgets are tight.
Until that changes and prevention really is seen as the cure, the IPPR and the rest of us can keep calling for a cultural shift around working with ‘antisocial children’ until we’re blue in the face and nothing will change. Frustrating? Just a bit.