Aims

Participants become involved in all aspects of a series of events in order to make decisions about what has happened and the consequences for all those involved.

Objectives

Pupils understand the situation of a local community and vulnerable people who are frightened and easily misled. They investigate the background to crimes and identify issues from their own community which relate to this experience.

Outcomes

Pupils identify the pressure to behave in an unacceptable way and recognise the risk inherent in different situations; participants gain an understanding of how actions affect themselves and others, leading to the recognition of responsible behaviour.

Pupils taking part in Dilemma: Burning Issue have opportunities to:

Take responsibility

The Dilemma series is designed to give pupils a chance to take responsibility for others' actions, applying knowledge and experience of their own dilemmas. Through teamwork and a stimulating story, pupils become aware of their own accountability and the responsibilities carried by others in the community. For example, they consider the responsibilities of school staff, the Education Welfare Officer, the Community Liaison officer, other adults and pupils in the simulation.

Participate

Pupils work in groups and Dilemma: Burning Issue is aimed at encouraging team building and teamwork skills. Decisions are made as part of a group: pupils will argue, discuss and debate important aspects of Burning Issue before reaching a joint conclusion.

Make real choices and decisions

As a responsible adult the pupils must decide how to deal with the incidents and their involvement with the police, Education Welfare Service, families and the wider community. In doing so, pupils consider a wider audience and identify the potential consequences of actions. They also develop an understanding of the roles of others.

Meet and talk with people

Inviting police officers or community youth workers into the classroom acts as a stimulus for question and answer sessions and provides understanding of different roles through closer liaison with people from the community. The 'live link' provides direct access to online police support.