The Youth Offending Team is committed to:

• the swift administration of justice so that every young person accused of breaking the law has the matter resolved without delay
• confronting young offenders with the consequences of their offending, for themselves, their family, their victims and the community
• punishment proportionate to the seriousness and persistence of offending
• reinforcing the responsibilities of parents
• helping young offenders to tackle problems associated with their offending and develop a sense of personal responsibility
• maintaining, as a cornerstone of all provisions, equal access, equal opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice

Duties and responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the youth justice system is to prevent offending by children and young people. The Youth Offending Team members, along with others, working in the youth justice system, will have regard for that principle.

Appropriate Adult Services

Appropriate Adult Services will be provided either by the Youth Offending Team members themselves or by volunteers working with the team. Where a parent or carer is not available, the Youth Offending Team will ensure that an impartial adult is available to safeguard the rights and civilliberties of a young person detained and questioned by the Police (in accordance with the PACE Act 1984)

Reprimands and Final Warnings

The Youth Offending Team will work with the Police to deliver interventions as part of the Final Warnings Scheme and will develop a range of resources to use as appropriate.

Bail Support

The Youth Offending Team has, within it, the Bail Support Team, whoe members will provide support and assistance to young people whilst on bail. The Bail Support Team and Other Youth Offending Team members will also provide a bail information service to the Court.

Remand Placements

Young people may be remanded from the Court to secure accommodation, remand fostering, approved lodgings etc. The Youth Offending Team will assist the Court and the Police to access appropriate remand accommodation.

Court Liaison Work

The Youth Offending Team will provide an effective and efficient service to the Youth Courts and Crown Court, giving advice and information with the aim of minimising delays in the Crown Court process.

Pre-Sentencing Reports and Specific Sentence Reports

When required, the Youth Offending Team will provide Youth Courts and Crown Courts with high quality, targeted, Pre-Sentence Reports and Specific Sentence Reports to assist sentences. This assessment of young offender will be in line with National Standards.

Community Sentences

The Youth Offending Team aims to maximise the effectiveness of appropriate community based disposals. The team will:

• provide high quality supervision to young people
• work with parents and carers of young people as and when appropriate
• ensure that a variety of resources are available for such sentences

Parenting Orders

The Youth Offending Team will work with parents and carers and assist them in accessing help in the community to make them more effective parents. The Youth Offending Team will ensure that a Parenting Programme is available to the Courts to be used as part of a Parenting Order.

Custodial Sentences

The Youth Offending Team will:

• work to maximise the chances of young people sentenced to custody being successfully reintegrated into the community
• offer support to young offenders during their sentences and provide supervision after release, in accordance with National Standards
• work closely with the staff of secure accommodation to ensure that the young person's return to the community goes as smoothly as possible and that plans devised in the Institution can be carried forward in the community

Liaison and Development Work

The Youth Offending Team will maintain close liaison with other relevant agencies involved with young offenders in the Boroughs of Bournemouth and Poole.

Monitoring

The work of the Youth Offending Team will be monitored in accordance with the requirements of the Youth Justice Board. Interventions will be evaluated to ensure that the principles of "What Works" are followed.

Where can I find out more?

You can also contact:

Youth Justice Board for England and Wales
11 Carteret Street, London, SW1H 9DL
Telephone 020 7271 3033
FAX 020 7271 3030
E-mail enquiries@yib.gsi.gov.uk

The Youth Justice Board

http://www.youth-justice-board.Gov.uk/YouthJusticeBoard/

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/