THIS PROJECT WAS INITIATED IN 1974 BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE CARE AND RESETTLEMENT OF OFFENDERS (NACRO) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HAMMERSMITH SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO DIVERT TEENAGERS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THESE YOUTHS WERE REFERRED FROM NUMEROUS SOURCES, INCLUDING THE POLICE, THEIR PARENTS, THE SCHOOLS, AND SELF-REFERRALS. THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO TEST VARIOUS WAYS TO WORK WITH DIFFICULT YOUNG PEOPLE. ONE INNOVATIVE IDEA WAS TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAD HAD SIMILAR BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCES WORK WITH THE YOUTHS BECAUSE THEY PRESUMABLY WOULD HAVE INSTINCTIVE SKILLS WHICH THE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS MIGHT NOT. ACHIEVING A BALANCE BETWEEN INFORMALITY AND CREATIVITY ON THE PART OF THE INNOVATIVE STAFF AND RELIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PART OF THE CLIENTS WAS DIFFICULT. SINCE THE TEENAGER'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PROJECT WAS OF SHORT DURATION, THE STAFF TRIED TO INTEGRATE THE YOUTH INTO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WITH A PERSON OR GROUP WHO COULD OFFER PERMANENT SUPPORT. DEVELOPING COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROVED TO BE AN ELUSIVE TASK. THE PROJECT DEPENDED ON LOCATING LOCAL PEOPLE WITH WHOM THE TEENAGER COULD RELATE AND WHO COULD EXERT A STABILIZING INFLUENCE. THE PROJECT ALSO ATTEMPTED TO INVOLVE YOUTHS IN LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES; E.G., SUPERVISING YOUNGER CHILDREN, PARTICIPATING IN LOCAL TENANTS' ASSOCIATIONS, OR PRACTICING SOME OTHER FORM OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE ROLES OF INTERAGENCY COOPERATION, POLICE, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND EDUCATION AUTHORITIES WERE DISCUSSED. THE WHOLE PREMISE OF THE PROJECT WAS THE ILLOGIC OF REMOVING THE TEENAGER FROM THE COMMUNITY FOR WHICH YOU ARE PREPARING HIM TO SPEND HIS WHOLE LIFE. THE PROJECT'S BUDGET IS LISTED. (JSP)