New incentive scheme to "reward" teenagers

Sunday, 17 July 2005 12:00 AM

Teenagers who behave well will be offered rewards under a new incentive scheme to be announced by the Government.

Well behaved youngsters will reportedly be offered discounts on admission to public facilities or have the opportunity to collect cash credits to spend on items such as CDs.

Activities such as community work will be rewarded, while anti-social behaviour would result in sanctions.

The new scheme is set to be officially announced on Monday as part of the Government's new Green Paper on the reform of youth services.

Speaking to The Observer, Children's Minister Beverley Hughes declined to give details of how the scheme would work, but told the newspaper the proposals would help youngsters recognise their responsibilities, as well as their rights.

"It's about celebrating when young people are doing well, as well as being able, through sanctions or not involving young people, to point to the fact that they have responsibilities as well as rights and if they don't meet their responsibilities they jeopardise those rights," she said.

"The vast majority of teenagers are doing well and they deserve to be rewarded when they go that extra mile."

Sunday newspapers speculate that the Government may provide teenagers with smart cards in order to claim rewards.

The Observer said ministers had been impressed by similar schemes operating in places such as Wiltshire, where police give well-behaved youngsters a swipe card offering £10 in discounts on leisure activities.

Meanwhile, England's first children's commissioner has said that youngsters should be involved in the selection of teachers and even doctors.

Professor Al Aynsley-Green told The Sunday Telegraph that the experience of his own selection process, which involved an interview with a panel of "hard-nosed 11 to 18-year-olds", had convinced him that children should be consulted about appointments.

"There is increasing evidence that engaging children in what matters makes it better for everybody," said Professor Aynsley-Green, who assumed his post two weeks ago.

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