ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some research into the problem of absconding from approved schools. Training schools, where children normally stayed for between one and two years, were graded according to the age of the children accommodated. Some of the schools were in modern, purpose-built house-unit accommodation, others occupied old mansions or institutional blocks. Although it is found that the extent of delinquency relates to absconding, it might only be because absconders from approved schools include in their number more of those with a record of absconding from a previous placement and who are therefore likely to be among the more delinquent. Social learning theory leads to a quite different approach to assessment and behaviour change. Assessment requires measurement of the conditions which give rise to and maintain a person's behaviour rather than the making of inferences about his attributes.
