This study focuses on identifying, developing and managing appropriate services to cater for male adolescents who have emotional and behavioral problems. Research shows that if these adolescents are not provided with the appropriate services on time, they are more likely to become hard-core criminals. It is the responsibility of any society to ensure the well being of the children.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen professionals from different fields mainly from the justice, social, mental health and education fields. Interviewees were all professionals working either directly with adolescents or else policy makers, who can influence and propose services. Reference was also made to two interviews conducted by the Office of the Commissioner for Children, with adolescents who are detained at Mt. Carmel Mental Health Hospital and YOURS (a correctional facility for youth offenders). Both qualitative and quantitative data was gathered and analyzed.

The research carried out helped to identify various flaws in the current services mainly lack of co-ordination between services, lack of financial and human resources and lack of adequate legal provisions. Another important issue that arose from the interviews was the fact that current services are not based on research. This has resulted in the provision of services, which are not evidence-based and also to lack of adequate planning, which led to a deficiency in resources required and to lack of services to help this client group. The importance of continuous evaluation was also highlighted.

The research suggests the need for evidence-based practices to be developed that are targeted towards adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. Financial and human resources should be withdrawn from services that are not being effective, and shifted to support services, which are evidence based, and therefore effective. Research also suggests that Government will benefit more when investing in prevention so that these adolescent will not become hard-core criminals rather than having to cater for them in prisons and similar institutions.

One can conclude that Community based interventions are more effective than residential interventions, though the importance of the latter cannot be undermined. There is also a need to set-up a body who is responsible to co-ordinate services and which can exert the necessary pressure on the relevant parties to adapt or change existing provisions and to create new services that are lacking to help these adolescents from becoming criminals.

This would entail a detailed study to identify the number of adolescents who require the proposed services together with a detailed evaluation of current evidence-based services, in order to be able to make maximum use of current services. Staff needs to be given specialized training necessary, if these are to make adequate interventions. Both the setting up of an intermediary body and all community-based services need to have a legal back up and to be provided with the necessary financial resources.

Masters in Education

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