Evaluation Title

Evidence Review: Music making with young offenders and young people at risk of offending

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative

Evaluation Focus Impact of arts-based approaches

Key indicators Best practice review, Grey literature, Systematic review

Methodology Evaluation reviews

Research limitations Quantitative research, Sample size

Summary of evaluation

This review by the University of the West of England (UWE) was commissioned by Youth Music in March 2011 with the purpose of identifying evidence concerning the impact of music making on young people within the youth justice system. The Review aim was to gather and, if possible, synthesise evidence on the outcomes of music-making with children and young people in the youth justice system (including preventative and rehabilitative approaches).

Project description

The report draws on three areas of work:
1. A systematic evidence review of the published, English language international literature on music-making with children and young people in justice settings.

2. An evidence and best practice review of the ‘grey’ literature including UK project reports focusing on music-making in the youth justice system.

3. A review of projects with young offenders funded by Youth Music since 1999.

Key Quote

It seeks to add to the knowledge base on the effects of music-based work with young people by providing an up-to-date synthesis of published research and evaluation of music projects in youth justice settings.

The reports (reviewed) commonly report high levels of engagement among participants (and) they also report some common outcomes for young people in the following areas:


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