Youth offending

The Youth offending Service (YOS) are separate from the police and the courts. We work with children and young people that get into trouble with the law.

This may be because the young person or child:

• gets into trouble with the police or is arrested
• is charged with a crime and has to go to court
• is convicted of a crime and given a sentence.

We look into the background of a child or young person and try to help them stay away from crime.

We also:

• run local crime prevention programmes
• help young people at the police station if they’re arrested
• help young people and their families at court
• supervise young people serving a community sentence
• stay in touch with a young person if they’re sentenced to custody.

Who we work with

We work alongside:

• the police
• probation officers
• health, housing and children’s services
• schools and education authorities
• charities and the local community.

Worried about a child or young person?

If you are worried about a young person’s behaviour or want further information contact us.

Types of court

There are three levels of criminal courts in England and Wales:

• crown court
• magistrate's court
• youth court.

A child or young person will usually be seen by the youth court. If the child or young person appears on a day when there is no youth court, they will be seen in adult court (magistrate's court).

The magistrates will then decide whether to send the case to the youth court on another day, or to keep it in magistrate's court.

If the child or young person is jointly charged with an adult, the magistrates will have to decide if the two defendants should be kept together or if the adult should be dealt with in magistrate's court, and the child or young person in youth court.

If the offence that the child/young person has been charged with is serious enough, or if the adult they are charged with chooses to be dealt with in crown court, the magistrates can send the case there (in the case of serious crimes this is called a 'committal'.)

Going to court

Before going to court 

• A child/young person should get themselves a solicitor. They should be able to get legal aid, which will pay these fees.

Arriving at court

When a child/young person arrives at the court, they should:

• be on time
• arrive with at least one parent or appropriate adult
• inform the court usher them that they have arrived
• ask for a duty solicitor (if they don't already have a solicitor).

If a child/young person is late, or fails to attend, it will usually result in a warrant for his or her arrest.

If no one comes with them, the court may send a summons for the parent to attend on the next occasion.

If the parent does not attend on the summons date, the court can issue a warrant for their arrest.

When a court finds a child or young person guilty of an offence they will then decide upon a sentence. 

Sentences for children/young people

Sentences are designed to protect the public and ensure that the child/young person engages in work to address their offending behaviour. The child/young person will also receive support with other difficulties that they may be dealing with.

A custodial sentence is usually passed when the child/young person is considered as presenting a risk to the public and requires detention.

Community penalties may be used if the child/young person can be made subject to an order from the court and supervised in the community by YOS. 

There are different types of sentences:

• Discharges
• Fines
• Referral orders
• Youth Rehabilitation Order
• Custodial sentences
  

If after sentencing a child/young person does not comply with the court order, they will return to court and may receive a new or additional sentence.

You can find out more about the types of sentences for children and young people.

Out-of-court disposals (before the child or young person is sent to court)

A Youth Caution may be given for any offence where the child/young person admits an offence, and it is not in the public interest to prosecute them. In addition to a Youth Caution children / young people can also be given a Community Resolution or a Triage. This type of intervention means you would still be contacted by the YOS for support but they are less formal and do not involve the police once issued to you.

The two types of youth cautions:

• Youth Caution
• Youth Conditional Caution

Both types of cautions are formal warnings that are kept on record by the police. They can be given to those under the age of 18 who have committed a criminal offence.

Youth Cautions

If you receive a Youth Caution:

• the victim of your crime may meet with the child/ young person to discuss the offence
• the Youth Offending Team may work with the child/young person to help them stay out of trouble.

Youth Conditional Caution

The Youth Conditional Caution, it will include at least one condition which the child/young person must complete. This is not voluntary and they must attend the meetings with the Youth Offending Team and carry out any conditions set out. If they do not complete the programme, they will have to go to Court.

Examples of what can be part of a Youth Conditional Caution are:

• Doing some community work to make up for your offence
• Anger management work
• Drugs or alcohol work
• Staying away from certain places/people
• Writing a letter of apology
• Victim awareness work
• Positive activities
• Access to other services

For more information, visit the Youth Justice Board website.

The Youth Offending Service (YOS) works with the courts in various ways, including:

Pre-sentence reports

The Youth Offending Service (YOS) will provide information to the court to inform sentencing decisions. These are known as pre-sentence reports and include details of the offence, the child/young person's circumstances and the reasons for their behaviour, the impact on the victim and a suggested sentence.

Bail and remand

The court may decide to bail a child/young person to attend a future court hearing. Bail is a temporary release while awaiting court and usually comes with conditions like staying away from witnesses, restricting movements or having a curfew, reporting to a police station at certain times or a programme of support from YOS.

The court may remand a child/young person to the care of the local authority such as Brent Council. They will then become a 'looked after child'. The child/young person will generally be placed where their needs will be best met and in the interests of protecting the public. This can be with a family member or trained foster carers. If the court orders a secure remand, YOS will work with the Youth Justice Board to find a suitable place.

Pre-court work

If a child/young person admits to committing an offence, they may be given a Youth Conditional Caution. YOS supports young people given Youth Conditional Cautions.

Referral order panels are meetings where the victims and child or young person can be brought together face to face.

The aim is to make children/ young people take responsibility and make amends for the consequences of their offending.

This can lead to the child/ young person making restoration to the victim or wider community.

How do meetings work

Meetings are staged in a controlled environment, with members of the:

• Youth offending team - professional workers, trained to work with children/ young people.
• Referral order panel - members of the community. They have been trained to sit as panel members, however they work on a voluntary (unpaid) basis.
• The victim.
• The child/ young person who has committed the offence.

The offence is discussed. 

The victims have the chance to ask questions, receive an explanation and/or an apology and discuss how the child/ young person can make practical reparation for any distress and inconvenience they may have caused.

Suitable remedies for the situation are decided upon. A contract is then drawn up to address the issues.

Failure to comply with the details of the contract may result in the case going before the courts for further disciplinary action.

In Brent we recognise that parents will also need support at this time. 

By supporting parents, we can help parents and carers bring up their children to:

• be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy
• stay safe in their communities and at home
• enjoy their education and achieve to the best of their ability
• contribute positively to their community

Find more information in our Children and family support page.

There are also specific programmes where there has been violence from a child against their parent, carer or other family member.

Links to family services including the national Troubled Families programme can provide a wide range of support for families of children in the youth justice system.

Evidence has shown that working together with the whole family is more effective in reducing offending in children. You can see examples of research proven programmes by other YOTs online through the Youth Justice Resource Hub.

Workers in the YOS provide support to victims where a child or young person has committed an offence against them. There is help and support as well as information if you have been affected by a crime and are a victim. The YOS offers different levels of support depending on the need and interest expressed by the victim.

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is a process whereby the victim has an opportunity to ask questions, find out information and if they chose to even meet or have a letter of apology sent to them.

Reparation

Reparation is a way to make amends when a crime has been committed and some children / young people will be required to repair the harm to the community. This can be done by working as a volunteer at a local community project or another another type of project to support the community.

• Do you want to really make a difference to the lives of children and young people who have offended or are at risk of doing so?
• Do you have a specific interest in children/young people and the issues affecting them today?
• Do you have a spare 4 – 8 hours a month which you are willing to volunteer?
• Are you over 18 years of age?

If so then then Brent Youth Offending Service would like to hear from you!

We need people to join the Brent Youth Offending Service to support and guide children/young people and reduce their likelihood of offending in the future.

There are a number of roles available and you could make a significant difference to the lives of children/young people and their families, as well as delivering benefits to the community.

Working as a volunteer can also help you to develop your skills and knowledge in working with children/young people and can make a difference if you would like to enter the Criminal Justice System.

You will be fully trained and supported throughout the process.

Apply

To apply to become a Community Panel Member or Community Reparation Mentor, or if you would like to find out more please call 020 8937 3810.