This paper presents the findings of the 2008 research project on so called rebound programmes serving youngsters at risk of dropping out of schools as well as their secondary schools. These programmes have been implemented in the Netherlands to support youngsters with behaviour problems (such as conduct problems and anti-social/aggresive behaviour) and to increase the strategies of secondary schools to deal with violence and challenging behaviours and to ensure a safe school climate. The Netherlands Youth Institute leads a research and development programme (2005-2010) which supports the development of these programmes and their effectiveness in all 82 school networks in Dutch secondary education. The research objective of the 2008 study is to determine, among other things, the level of implementation of these programmes and initial outcomes, the characteristics of youngsters, the features of the components of these programmes, the institutes which provide the services (multi-agency teams) and the collaboration with schools and parents. Furthermore, the study aims to identify pressing challenges in areas such as method development, professional development and regional collaboration and partnerships between education and health and human services. The conceptual framework draws on our earlier research (Van Veen, Van der Steenhoven & Kuijvenhoven, 2007; Van Veen & Van der Steenhoven, 2008) and similar research and development in Belgium (Vettenburg & Vandewiele, 2003), the UK and USA.

National survey (coordinators of 82 school networks in secondary education serving 1200 schools) and focus groups with coordinators of rebound programmes and directors/coordinators of the school networks. Data collection takes place in the period december 2008-march 2009. Data analysis will be completed in june 2009. The rearch report will be ready in july 2009.

Conclusions cannot be projected at this time.