Length: 2000 words
Topic: Select an agency that works with young people. The agency should NOT deal specifically with crime or legal matters.Rather the agency should be one that works more broadly with young people across areas such as welfare, leisure, education, accommodation/shelter, and substance abuse (but, of course, not necessarily all of them). The agency might be quite small – focusing on one area of youth welfare. It might operate from a particular location (premises) or it might concentrate on out-reach street work, or both.Before you begin your investigation, you should be clear in your mind whether the work of this agency might be applied in some way(s) to youth crime prevention. Based on observations, interviews, documents and experiences, build your essay around the following items:Briefly describe the work of the agency or organisation and describe the ‘philosophy’ upon which the agency bases its practices. That is, how do the workers in the agency see their role in contributing to the welfare of young people?Describe how the work of the agency is related to youth crime prevention OR how you think its work might be applied to this area.Broadly, analyse what you think are the strengths and limitations of what this agency does with young people. Give reasons for your conclusions.Remember – this is a 2000 word assignment, so be concise and to-the-point in what you say.Note also that your case study should be informed by wider reading. There should be at least EIGHT items of reading in addition to any set by the lecturer that you use. You might also wish to refer to documents produced by the agency. All of this material, including any references to set readings, should be listed in your reference list.
Some hints for Assignment 2: Case StudyYou should aim to devote roughly equal portions of your essay to each of the parts outlined above (and try to link the parts, rather than having abrupt breaks between each of the sections).Essentially, in this assignment you are trying to answer the question: From what I have read and from my observations of my chosen agency, what have I learned about working with young people that might relate directly or indirectly to youth crime and/or youth crime prevention?Be concise and selective in what you look at. It is pointless including pages and pages of description in your essay which simply list all the things (programs, activities) the agency or organisation undertakes with young people. Excessive, straightforward description will not earn good marks. We are looking for evidence of your interpretive and analytical abilities.The latter parts of your essay especially are really demonstrating your interpretive and analytical abilities – so ask yourself: “Does the agency I have chosen to focus upon, and the way that I have approached the discussion, really allow me to demonstrate my intellectual initiative?”You are certainly not expected to carry out a major analysis of your agency to the depth or sophistication that you would if you were doing, say, a course on evaluation theory and practice. What you are really trying to work out in your own mind and convey to the reader is what you have learned about agencies that work with young people – especially with young people who are said to be vulnerable, or at-risk, or troublesome.Remember, if you are interviewing people from agencies for your assignment or need to get access to materials etc, you are probably dealing with busy people. Hence start early, don’t leave your investigations until the week before the assignment is due.Your essay should adhere to normal academic conventions (suitable and consistent referencing – preferably APA style, clear and correct written expression and so forth). If you have problems in these areas there are fairly cheap publications on “writing assignments” available in well-stocked bookshops.Note:The agency you explore might request a copy of your findings/essay and, out of courtesy; you should be prepared to provide them with a copy. Remember, your work might provide the agency with helpful information and insights.
