CYCJ offers a range of learning and development opportunities for practitioners working with children and young people who are at risk of becoming, or are currently in conflict with the law. Below you can find a list of the learning and development services we have on offer and how to access them.
Developmental Wellbeing Approach: Supporting Growth, Reducing Harm
The Developmental Wellbeing Approach is a trauma-informed, rights-based way of working with children and young people that focuses on supporting healthy development to reduce harmful behaviours. It enables practitioners, children and young people, and families to co-create safe, appropriate strategies that respond to individual needs and contexts across home, school, and community settings. The approach has been developed with input from practitioners and field experts and was piloted earlier this year.
CYCJ are providing training for individuals working with children displaying distressed / harmful behaviours and supporting the embedding of the approach across local area teams in Scotland. If you are interested in embedding the approach in your local authority teams or organisation or would like more information, please contact carole.murphy.100@strath.ac.uk.
E-Learning
CYCJ, in collaboration with the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Strathclyde, have created online learning opportunities on a range of different topics.
These interactive eLearning modules take approximately 4 hours to complete and are designed for professionals in the youth justice workforce responding to the behaviour of children and young people, that could be causing harm to others and bringing them into conflict with the law.
Each instance of learning has been designed in collaboration with experts in that particular field to increase awareness for the learner in themes and topics relevant to this sector. Although each module has its own tailored aims and objectives, overall, learners can expect to gain a deeper knowledge of subjects whilst also enhancing skills that can be applied in practice. All modules will lead the learner through self paced, online learning, with interactive scenarios, reflective exercises and practical tools for immediate application.
Each module costs £30 per learner, and can be combined with any number of other modules. To read more about each module and enrol, head to our dedicated page on E-Learning here.
FRAME/CARM
This 2-day training event focuses on the Scottish Government guidance provided in the Framework for Risk Assessment Management and Evaluation (FRAME) for children aged 12-17. Updated in 2021, this guidance outlines the standards and operational requirements for risk practice and aims to ensure a proportionate and appropriate response to harmful behaviour which includes where there is a likelihood of serious harm occurring. The training will cover the principles of good risk practice as well as the process for risk management/reduction that is recommended as best practice, for example Care and Risk Management (CARM). An opportunity to consider and/or apply the risk practice principles will be provided through discussions and the use of a practice example. Risk practice in relation to children must be understood through a lens of child development, be trauma and systemically informed, and must consider situational and contextual factors. This training is aimed at practitioners who support children that pose an elevated risk of harm to others. It is likely to prove a challenging course for new staff or those who lack confidence in the field of risk practice, and so we urge nominating line managers to consider this when making an application to join this course.
This is aimed at Practitioners and Managers working in Scotland.
This training is only delivered in person, there is no option to attend online. Events are scheduled throughout the year in various locations however we can also arrange an event for larger groups of professionals for your organisation. To find out more information please contact cycj@strath.ac.uk
Book November 2025 CARM training here
- 19 & 20 November 2025
- 09:30 – 16:30 both days
- St Phillip’s Residential Care & Educational Services 10 Main St, Plains, Airdrie, ML6 7JE
- Light lunch will be provided
For further information click here.
Post Graduate certificate in Children & Young People in Conflict with the Law
This course is delivered by our multi-talented team of social work, psychology, and research professionals.
The course will provide a comprehensive and consolidated learning experience on children in conflict with the law through a developmental lens whilst also considering the implications for young people in conflict with the law as they transition to adulthood.
Drawing from a variety of approaches and disciplines including social work and social policy, psychology, health, and law you’ll develop a critical understanding of the rights of children and young people in conflict with the law, how well these are being upheld and existing challenges to being fully rights respecting. You’ll also develop a theoretically informed understanding of the developmental pathways of children and young people finding themselves in conflict with the law alongside practice models of assessment, formulation, and intervention.
As a fully online, part-time course, it offers you the flexibility to grow your knowledge, skills and continued professional development whilst maintaining existing professional and personal commitments.
Click here to learn more about this course and how to apply.
START-AV
CYCJ deliver training on the use of the START-AV risk assessment tool. The training is delivered over two days and participants MUST be able to commit to attend both days of training.
The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability: Adolescent Version (START:AV) was developed to guide the individualised assessment of vulnerabilities and strengths that can lead to, and mitigate against, the risk of adverse outcomes occurring, including harm to others and rule violations and harm to the adolescent. The aim of the tool is to guide evidence-based intervention planning to reduce the risk of harm occurring and promote healthy development. It is intended for use with males and females aged 12-18 years with a focus on intervention planning to reduce the risk of future adverse outcomes. Regular reassessments are recommended, at least every three months, in order to review progress in risk reduction. START:AV is based on the Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) approach.
Participant requirements for the training:
- Participants MUST be able to attend both days of training
- Participants MUST have access to a START:AV User Guide/Manual for the training which can be purchased here buy START-AV manual
- Participants MUST be working in the youth justice field in Scotland
The START:AV is designed to be used by a range of professionals such as psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, and other professionals in justice and mental health settings. It should only be used by those who have experience of working with adolescents, such as through formal training, continuing education, and/or professional practice. although the authors of START-AV state the following:
1. Practitioners who do not hold a professional qualification such as those outlined in the manual (ie social work degree, psychology or similar) should not be undertaking START-AV assessments independently
2. Staff who do not have a professional qualification could attend the training but should not independently undertake a START-AV thereafter, and should instead be supervised by someone who holds both a professional qualification and been trained in the use of START-AV.
With this in mind we ask that should attendees not hold a professional qualification such as the social work degree, psychology or similar, that 1) they and their line manager understand that they should not be undertaking the assessment unsupervised and
2) the local authority ensures that appropriately qualified people oversee any START-AV outputs that are produced.
Events are scheduled throughout the year online and in person. We can also arrange an event for larger groups of professionals for your organisation. To find out more information about when our next event is running contact cycj@strath.ac.uk
Webinars
Throughout the year CYCJ hosts webinars on a range of different topics. We invite speakers from research and practice expertise relevant to the youth justice field. All webinars are free to attend.
To view and book our upcoming webinars, click here