Youth Justice Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
PYP is an evidence-based, research-informed framework of youth justice practice, developed through co-creation and participatory research with justice-involved children in Greater Manchester.
Participatory Youth Practice is based on a set of eight theoretically framed principles for youth justice practice that were co-created with children.
These are:
- Afford children a fresh start
- Let Children participate
- Unpick why (in relation to children’s behaviour)
- Acknowledge children’s limited life chances
- Avoid threats and sanctions
- Help children problem solve
- Develop children’s ambitions
- Remember it’s children’s own choice to stop offending
You can see the film developed in partnership with children involved in the youth justice system, in which they explore their own perspectives on the importance of participatory practice. Since the re-launch in 2023, Hannah Smithson and Tom Lang have provided PYP training sessions to approx. 200 colleagues across Greater Manchester. The PYP framework has been written into each of the nine GM Youth Justice Teams’ Business Plans, it forms the basis of the GMCA’s Youth Justice Transformation Strategy, its written into GMP’s 2025 Policing Plan and PYP is presented as a model of best practice by the Youth Justice Board in their revision of case management and by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.
Our KTP has been jointly funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Greater Manchester Youth Justice Services. The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds world-class, independent researchers in a wide range of subjects: ancient history, modern dance, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, English literature, design, the creative and performing arts, and much more. At the time of funding, the AHRC spent approximately £98m to fund research and postgraduate training in collaboration with a number of partners. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.
The Economic & Social Research Council is the UK’s largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. They support independent, high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and civil society. Their total budget for 2017-18 was around £202 million, and at any one time they support over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes. Their research is rigorous and authoritative, as they support independent, high-quality, relevant social science.
CCYJR works with partners across Greater Manchester to deliver first-class services to young people, victims, families and communities involved in the criminal justice system. The group comprises ten local authority areas each individually responsible for statutory delivery of youth justice, including safeguarding and protection of the public. The strategic aims are to reduce reoffending, first time entrants into the criminal justice system and the use of custody in line with the objectives of the Youth Justice Board and Ministry of Justice. This work also addresses issues specific to Greater Manchester and is informed by academic research. This collaborative approach is supported by the Youth Justice Board, Ministry of Justice and Greater Manchester Mayor’s Office.