Participatory Youth Practice (PYP) is an evidence-based, research-informed framework of youth justice practice, developed through co-creation and participatory research with young people in Greater Manchester. It uses young people’s lived experiences, supported by academic theory and research evidence, to formulate a new approach to youth justice. Join experts Prof Hannah Smithson (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Thomas Lang (Head of Service, Manchester Youth Justice Service), as they discuss this groundbreaking approach to working with young people.
When: Tuesday, November 26th 2024, 1 pm - 2 pm
Where: Online via Zoom.
Cost: Free for YJLC Members, £15 for non-members
Speakers
Prof Hannah Smithson has worked within the field of criminology for over 20 years and specialises in the field of youth justice. Hannah is the co-convenor of the award-winning Greater Manchester Youth Justice Partnership - a partnership between Manchester Metropolitan University and each of the 10 Greater Manchester youth justice services. The partnership has created a transformative new framework: Participatory Youth Practice (PYP). PYP is the first framework to be co-created with justice-involved children based on their lived experiences. PYP has had an impact on youth justice practice, on national and international youth justice strategies, and, most importantly, on justice-involved children themselves. Hannah works collaboratively with local, national and global communities and stakeholders, including professionals, activists and third-sector organisations. Her research has been instrumental in shaping agendas in research and policy across the interconnected areas of youth justice, violence and child criminal exploitation.
Thomas Lang has worked for Manchester Youth Justice for over 17 years. Initially starting as an Interventions Practitioner, he has been Head of Service for the last three years. Thomas has always been passionate about serving the children of Manchester and their families, and leads a forward-thinking, relationship-focused service which supports victims and protects the public. The Manchester Youth Justice Service uses positive, strength-based approaches to supporting society's most underserved and vulnerable children.
Thomas has taken the lead in developing a trauma-responsive workforce to respond to tackling child criminal exploitation and serious violence. Collaboration with the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies on research projects, including Serious Violence and its relationship with ACE's, has led to Participatory Youth Practice research (a framework co-designed with academics and children on how to approach our work in Youth Justice) being embedded both strategically and operationally across Greater Manchester.