The role of services in children’s identity formation
How does this influence children’s involvement in violence in England?
Photo by Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock
What is the issue?
Previous research has highlighted how services can help protect children from, or increase vulnerability to, involvement in violence. There is, however, relatively limited research specifically exploring how children’s identity development fits into these dynamics.
This study, part of the ‘serious youth violence research programme’ co-led by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), investigates the role of services in shaping children’s identity formation and how identity-forming experiences in turn influence children’s involvement in violence in England.
How are we helping?
The study aims to address a critical gap in the evidence base by focusing on the ways in which systems of support – including education, social care, youth justice, mental health and youth work services – affect children’s sense of self, and how this influences their vulnerability to engaging in violence. It also aims to identify lessons on how strategic changes to systems of support could better address children’s vulnerabilities and bolster protection against violence.
Led by RAND Europe and conducted in collaboration with Dartington Service Design Lab, the study was designed with a strong emphasis on co-production, youth-centred perspectives, and anti-racist principles. Key components include:
- Professional interviews: 20 semi-structured interviews with professionals from a range of services, including education, police, youth justice, children’s social care, health, clinical psychology, youth work, local authorities and violence reduction partnerships.
- Young people’s consultations: interviews and workshops with 15 young people aged 15 to 23 with lived experience of various services and systems of support.
- Co-design process: engaging with a Young Researchers Advisory Panel, and an Expert Advisory Group of experienced practitioners, to shape the research questions, theoretical framing, data collection tools, and interpretation of findings and insights.
