This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Matrix project shows promising results
03/10/2002
The Matrix, a pilot project that aims to intervene early to reduce offending and anti-social behaviour among vulnerable young children, has produced promising results.
Key findings in the evaluation report into the Barnardo's project that runs in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire suggest that the Project should be replicated across Scotland.
The Report also concludes that:
- The Matrix project appeared to impact positively on children's offending and anti-social behaviour, physical health, parental management and support, and school attainment and behaviour at school.
- The ability of staff to engage with families who had previously been resistant to intervention by welfare or other statutory agencies was a particular strength.
- Social workers, teachers and other professional agencies regarded Matrix as a valued resource, with an appropriate emphasis on early intervention.
Welcoming the report, Minister for Education and Youth People Cathy Jamieson said:
"It is very encouraging to see that the Matrix project is making real head-way in turning round offending and anti-social behaviour. The project is much valued by social workers, teachers and other agencies who work with vulnerable children in the area.
"Real, practical and ongoing inter-agency planning and working is essential to effective early intervention work with vulnerable children and families. This, along with the skills and commitment of the Project management and staff, has been key to the success of Matrix.
"We will continue to support the work of the Matrix project through the Changing Children's Services Fund. We want to promote effective, appropriate early intervention that turns young lives around.
"This type of project could be an important part of other local authorities' strategies for preventing and reducing offending behaviour among children and young people.
"Local Authorities will be encouraged to take forward other projects based on this model to enable vulnerable children and their families to reap the benefits. The Scottish Budget for 2003 - 2006 has committed an additional £33 million by 2006 to tackle youth crime. The funding will be used to roll out effective projects, such as this one, across the country."
Ms Jamieson continued:
"The Matrix project has been particularly successful in working with parents. The Parents' Groups provided invaluable ongoing support to parents, including those whose children had completed their formal contact with the project.
"This fits well with the 10-point Action Plan's focus on promoting parental responsibility.
"We have to support and empower parents, giving them the confidence and skills to take on the full range of parental responsibilities, especially where children have behavioural issues and multiple needs. By doing this we can make a real difference to tackling the problems that youth crime brings to many individuals and communities."
The Executive commissioned the Social Work Research Centre, University of Stirling, to undertake an evaluation of Matrix.
From 1999 to 2002 Matrix was funded by the Invest to Save Initiative in partnership with the Executive (£600,000 investment).
Matrix, which is led by Barnardo's, operates in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire. It provides intensive support to families with children aged 8 to 11, who have been referred to the reporter on offence grounds or have multiple risk factors.
The Matrix Project began accepting referrals in September 1999. By September 2001 a total of 23 children (from 19 families) had attended Matrix and 17 of these cases had been closed. The families of 17 children agreed to the researchers having access to their project files.
Matrix assessment identifies problems and uses a range of intervention methods to address them. The objective is to strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors that contribute to later offending behaviour.