Experts on the Ground

A professional learning programme for artists and those who work with young people in youth offending settings.

Creative Junction and Thames Valley Partnership are working together to deliver a professional learning programme during the spring and summer of 2009. We have planned the programme with artists and workers from youth offending settings in Berkshire, and this pilot programme is taking place in Slough, Wokingham and Buckinghamshire.

The intention is for those in the field to share expertise, develop new ideas and practice in partnership with artists, and to create a pool of new knowledge and approaches to training for both sectors. We are keen to support the development of a group of experts on the ground.

The programme is characterised by collaborative professional learning through enquiry-based projects in youth offending settings. Each of the three partnerships is made up of two creative practitioners and two workers from the Youth Offending Service and a mentor supports the partnership.

There are three one-day sessions to prepare and share learning and practical pilot projects taking place over five days in each of the settings:

• Day one and two: exploring common ground, communications, case studies, reflective practice; introduction to action research; planning pilot projects, evaluation and dissemination planning

• Pilot enquiry projects taking place in three settings over a period of three to five weeks. Creative practitioners will work for five whole days alongside youth workers to deliver an enquiry-based creative project together. The projects will take place during regular sessions.

• Day three: Reflection on pilots and individual learning

The participating creative partners, selected from more than 25 applicants are:

Trina Dillon
Gina Martin
Nick Garnett
Shehnoor Ahmed
Maria Ryan
Gordon O'Neill