A small-scale pilot study into language difficulties in children who offend

Abstract

This small-scale pilot research project investigates the prevalence of Speech Language and Communication Difficulties in a sample of children attending a Youth Offending Service in the UK. Using the CELF-4, approximately 90% of the sample displayed some form of language difficulty and, overall, this population displayed mild to moderate difficulties in this area. Youth Offending Team staff questionnaires were also analysed and it was found that staff have little understanding of the difficulties presented by the children on their caseloads, despite reporting that they felt confident in this area. Implications for practice and potential roles for educational psychologists are discussed.

Keywords:

• youth offending
• speech
• language and communication needs
• youth offending service
• prevalence
• impact

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the staff and young people within the YOS, and those other professionals supporting the YOS, who took part in this research.