1. THE RESPECT PROJECT
A new glance at interdisciplinary efforts in relation to a small group
of youth.
OCTOBER 2010
sat/mai2012
Navn på seminar / 23.10.2012

2. THE RESPECT PROJECT
• A bit about the background for the project: Crime/ robbery, young recurring offenders, social
services, media, timing
• Mandate: To establish a committing cooperation between the State and Municipal Children’s Welfare
in Kristiansand Municipality relating to youth who have such a degree of behaviour disorders that they
qualify for § 4- 24 placement (compulsory placement)
• Target group: A small group of youth under the age of 18 years who abuse toxic substances,
escapes and commits serious crimes.
• Objective: In relation to the youth in the the target group, the aim is to hinder running off, abuse of
substances and that more offences are being committed.
• Anchoring: Head of health and social services in Kristiansand and the director general of Bufetat
• Steering group: The Police Inspector, Head of Children’s Welfare and the manager of the expert team
at Bufetat, Kristiansand. The coordinators report to the steering group.
• Coordination: One representative from the Youth team/ Children’s welfare and one representative
from Bufetat
Navn på seminar / 23.10.2012
sat/mai2012

3. PARTICIPATION AND WORK FORM ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL
• Participants in the working group on an individual level: Interdisciplinary
group, permanent representatives. Other relevant participators are invited
into the group if needed
• Selecting the appropriate youth: Look at the individual as well as the group
dynamics.
• How it is done: Problem analyses, sustaining factors, interventions.
Intervention scheme. What is done, how it is done, who is doing it and when
it is done. Intervention for the individual according to the problem and the
sustaining factors.
• Preparation: Targeted tasks for each time, to arrive well prepared
• Meeting points. Weekly meetings, lasting 2 hours pr time.
Navn på seminar / 23.10.2012
sat/mai2012

4. MEDIA
• The coordinators have the responsibility to handle the media
according to the work made in THE RESPECT PROSJECT
• Chose an open approach to the challenges connected to these
youth who have severely challenged the social services
Navn på seminar / 23.10.2012
sat/mai2012

5. CHALLENGES
• To gather all parties, including the management
• The rythm and tempo of the work
• Coordinate the interventions, here and now as well as long-term
• Responsibility and commitment, here and now as well as long-term
• An comprehensive thinking, multiple interventions at the same time at
different arenas
• Broader interventions, create a ”custom made intervention” adjusted to the
individual youth ex. More youth must be places far from their local community
and far from each other, spreading the youth.
Navn på seminar / 23.10.2012
sat/mai2012

6. What has worked?
• It was crucial to look at the negative group dynamics, and subside from the principle of
placement in vicinity of existing network, and place some of the boys far apart and far from
home.
• Anchoring at the level of management
• A clear mandate
• Quick decision making process in the working group
• Work model: problem analyses, sustaining factors and intervention form
• Concrete and measurable interventions which are committing and evaluated on a regular
basis
• Obtained better knowledge of each others work areas, how to assist each other, as well as
having clearer expectations of each other
• The working group in ‘The Respect Project’ represents solid and wide ranging expertise, that
gives the possibility to influence decisions regarding the youth.
• The youth has received new interventions and seem on the whole more content
Navn på seminar / 23.10.2012

7. RIPPLE EFFECTS
• ARA and Psychiatry supervise the institution
• Substance abuse training (treatment) for the staff at the institution
• Better communication between institutions
• Useful clarification of mutual expectations within the social services
• A calmer situation for the youth and their local community
Navn på seminar / 23.10.2012

8. IT HELPS
• To use shared competence in the best interest of children and
youth.
• To have chosen a common focus
Navn på seminar / 23.10.2012