What Works? Early identification of children and youth at risk: Developing knowledge and methods in collaboration with social services, schools, the police and service users

Research problem and specific questionsThe overall purpose is to, in collaboration with practitioners and service users, establish a long-term model for knowledge and method development focusing on the social services’ preventive and early interventions for children and youth.

The four included workpackages (WPs) focus on: early interventions for parents with infants (WP1), preventive work with pupils in elementary school (WP2), interventions of a special unit against juvenile crime and delinquency (WP3), and on assessments and interventions regarding honour-related violence (WP4).

These WPs were chosen as they are of specific relevance for children and youth facing risks of a negative development or maltreatment.

Three broad research questions guide the programme: a) To what extent do the methods used achieve their objectives from the perspective of both service users and professionals? b) How can the work be developed? c) How can knowledge from the projects be transferred and implemented for a long-term and continuous knowledge development?Data and methodA plethora of sources, including semi-structured, in-depth and focus group interviews, observations, discourse analysis and measuring scales.

Analyses will be guided by several theoretical perspectives for a deeper understanding of how the social services’ work with children and youth can be developed.

Societal relevance and utilisationToday’s major societal challenges form the point of departure for the programme, which will be carried out in a large municipality’s particularly vulnerable areas. The initiative comes from the municipality, which has been struggling with severe social problems for many years.

The key point is to implement new knowledge and create a long-lasting model for knowledge transmission and implementation. The programme aims for improving the quality of the work benefiting children, young people and their families. Lessons learned from the programme will also be valuable on a national level.

Plan for programme realisationA multidisciplinary research team of several senior but also more junior researchers will together with practitioners carry out the programme.

Continuing knowledge development in the partner organisation is guaranteed by the involvement of practitioners in the evaluation and development work, and through recurring workshops and method development days for the various units, run in collaboration between researchers and practitioners.