Lifeskills training for children with problem and deviant behaviour: the Noupoort Youth and CommunityDevelopment Project

This article describes the development, implementation and outcomes of two community-based lifeskills programmes in Noupoort for children with troubled behaviour. Results show that approximately one out of every five children re-engaged in misconduct or criminal behaviour following participation in the programmes. Continued offending occurred predominantly in property-linked crimes. This indicates a need for improved assessments and alternative or additional support for some of the participants. Although most parents/guardians of referred children valued the programmes, practice indicates that it is difficult to secure their involvement. The study includes descriptions of comparative situations from South Africa and international evidence in respect of intervention with troubled behaviour of children.