Coaching for Communities (CfC) [United Kingdom]
Solution types
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a mentoring program for adolescents who exhibit violent behavioral problems at home or in the community, but do not display a pattern of persistent delinquency (defined as three or more convictions in the previous year).
In addition, eligible youth must have one of the following risk factors: low self-esteem, high impulsivity, low levels of positive outlook, negative thoughts and feelings, low aspirations for the future, or involvement in antisocial peer networks.
The program has two components involving removal from the family home for five days and monitoring of the adolescent by a volunteer adult mentor for a period of nine months. The young individuals participate in intensive courses and physical activities.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that adolescents who participated in the program had significantly better levels of self-esteem and fewer negative thoughts and feelings compared to the control group, which did not receive the intervention [1].
The treated cases also had better prosocial peer networks and fewer friends who have a negative social influence. There were no improvements in impulsivity, positive future outlook, future aspirations, or motivation to change [1].
Overall, program beneficiaries showed a lower rate of emotional and behavioral problems, and had significant improvements in their general well-being. However, treated cases did not show better results than control cases in terms of their self-reported involvement in crime, nor in their levels of alcohol and drug abuse [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Berry, V., Little, M., Axford, N., & Cusick, G. R. (2009). An evaluation of youth at Risk's coaching for communities programme. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 48(1), 60-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2311.2008.00540.x

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