Smart thinking : helping young people develop moral reasoning and thinking skills about offending and anti-social behaviour

This comprehensive programme, for work with young people between 12 and 18, can be used to help them think critically about offending and anti-social behaviour and their social relationships.

Developed by the Citizenship Foundation in collaboration with youth justice workers, it can be used in secure, school or community settings with young people who - are already in trouble, may be at risk of getting into trouble, and may need help thinking about their rights, responsibilities and relationships.

It contains material for 10 two-hour sessions, all extensively trialled with practitioners, plus ideas and suggestions for further work.

Illustrated, photocopiable pages provide interesting and original group activities and exercises.

Extensive guidance to group workers, about the development of the materials and running lively group sessions, enable their use to best effect: encouraging the development of moral reasoning and thinking skills amongst young people; improving their ability to think about moral aspects of everyday life, offending and anti-social behaviour; enhancing self-awareness; and, increasing communication skills. An independent evaluation of "Smart Thinking" demonstrated that participants were more able to empathise with others and think through complex moral dilemmas.