Positive Pathways: evaluating the impact of a residential wilderness and adventure learning programme with mentoring on young people who have offended (or are at risk of doing so)

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Self-reported offending behaviours; Mental and Behavioural Disorders

• Registration Number: ISRCTN23082684
• Lead Sponsor: Sheffield Hallam University

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-07-18
• Last Update Posted: 29 July 2024
• Study Completion: 2026-06-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Ongoing
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1000

Inclusion Criteria

The target group for the Positive Pathways programme therefore the RCT is young people aged 15-17 years who meet all three of the following inclusion criteria:

Criteria 1: have either been:
1. Convicted of a criminal offence (LTL)
2. Arrested, but have not received a criminal conviction (LTL)
3. Considered at high/medium risk of offending due to demonstrating one or more of the following factors:
3.1. Carrying weapons such as knives (USL/LTL)
3.2. Known association with peers known to be involved in criminal activity (USL/LTL)
3.3. Known to have siblings already involved in criminal activity (USL/LTL)
3.4. Displaying overt coercive or violent behaviour (LTL)
3.5. Excluded or at risk of exclusion from mainstream education i.e. persistent absences and suspension due to displaying behaviours including offending, bullying, aggression, violence (USL)
3.6. Professional concern around or signs of possible criminal exploitation e.g., burner phones, unexplained change in finances, missing episodes (USL/LTL)
3.7. Drug use or possession (USL/LTL)
3.8. Have had current or previous involvement with youth offending service, police or probation service either on a voluntary basis (non-statutory), preventative intervention (out-of-court disposal or diversionary outcome or court-mandated disposal (USL/LTL)

Criteria 2: Are living in the East or West Midlands

Criteria 3: Are willing to voluntarily engage with and complete Positive Pathways as demonstrated through:
1. Consenting to referral
2. Confirming consent to engage following the initial meeting and a detailed explanation of the project and the evaluation

Exclusion Criteria

Young people will not be eligible if they are currently serving a custodial sentence or have previously served a custodial sentence for murder or a sexual offence. These are the only exclusion criteria that would be applied if the young person had satisfied the inclusion criteria.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Offending behaviour is measured using the volume of self-reported offending behaviours (Self-Report Delinquency Scale [SRDS]), Volume Score [0 to 198], at baseline and within 4 weeks after endpoint

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
1. Offending behaviour is measured using the variety of self-reported offending behaviours (Self-Report Delinquency Scale [SRDS]), variety scale [0 to 19], at baseline and within 4 weeks after endpoint<br>2. Total difficulties and pro-social behaviour, hyperactivity, conduct problems, emotional problems and peer problems measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) subscales including total difficulties scale [0 to 40], pro-social scale [0 to 10], hyperactivity subscale [0 to 10], conduct problems subscale [0 to 10], emotional problems subscale [0 to 10] ad peer problems subscale [0 to 10]; at baseline and within 4 weeks after endpoint<br>3. Wellbeing is measured using the ONS Wellbeing Scale, volume sore [0-10], at baseline and within 4 weeks after endpoint