Youth Offending
Youth offending refers to the criminal or anti social behaviour exhibited by young individuals who are under the age of 18. Youth offending is a term used to describe a range of criminal activities or antisocial behaviours committed by young people.
Young people who engage in youth offending may commit various offenses, such as theft, vandalism, assault, drug-related crimes, and property damage. The severity of offenses can vary, from minor acts of mischief to more serious crimes. Youth offending can lead to involvement with law enforcement, juvenile justice systems, and legal consequences.
It's essential to understand that youth offending does not define all young individuals. Many young people make positive contributions to their communities and lead law-abiding lives. However, for those who engage in criminal behavior, several factors can contribute to their involvement in youth offending:
Socioeconomic factors: Disadvantaged backgrounds, poverty, and lack of access to educational and employment opportunities can increase the risk of youth offending.
Family environment: Troubled family dynamics, neglect, abuse, or the presence of criminal role models within the family can influence a young person's likelihood of engaging in delinquent behavior.
Peer pressure: The influence of peers and social groups can lead some young individuals to participate in risky or illegal activities.
Substance abuse: Drug or alcohol abuse can impair judgment and contribute to criminal behavior.
Mental health issues: Undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions can impact behavior and increase the risk of offending.
Lack of support and supervision: Some young people may lack proper guidance, support, or supervision from responsible adults, which can lead to delinquent behavior.
School-related issues: Academic struggles, truancy, and school discipline problems can be associated with youth offending.
Efforts to address youth offending often focus on prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation. Various strategies are employed to divert young offenders from the criminal justice system, including restorative justice practices, counseling, mentoring programs, and community-based initiatives. The goal is to help young people address the underlying issues that contribute to their offending behavior and offer them opportunities to make positive changes in their lives.
The aim is not only to prevent future criminal behavior but also to support the overall well-being and positive development of young people so that they can become productive members of society.
Wirral Youth Justice Service
Wirral Youth Justice Service provides a service for young people aged 10 to 17 who have been involved in offending behaviour. It is a multi-agency service, made up of social workers, youth justice workers and staff from education, police, probation and health.
The youth justice role supervise young people who have been referred by the police for out of court disposal and those sentenced by the Court. Assessments of need, risk, safety and wellbeing are undertaken and appropriate interventions designed and delivered. These include offence-focused work, reparation, support for education, training and employment, mentoring service, substance misuse work and health-related support (school nurse and CAMHS).
Parents and carers can be offered support through the parenting service. Victims of youth crime are consulted, and we will arrange for reparation and other forms of restorative practice (if appropriate) to be carried out to include the victims wishes.
We also provide an Out of Court Disposal (OOCD) service for young people who have been arrested for less serious offences, admitted their guilt and it is agreed that diversion from the CJS is a more appropriate option.
This work includes: victim information, assessments of need, risk, safety and wellbeing are undertaken, and appropriate interventions designed and delivered. These include offence-focused work, reparation, support for education, training and employment, substance misuse work and health-related support (Criminal Justice Liaison Diversion and CAMHS) and restorative practice (if appropriate) to be carried out to include the victims wishes.
Wirral Youth Justice Service Prevention Work
Prevention Service
Prevention work is completed on a voluntary basis with young people aged 10 to 18 years who are involved in or at risk of involvement in anti-social or offending behaviour.
Referrals for the YPS can be made on the basis of addressing areas of concerns such as: behavioural problems at home, in school or in the community.
The YPS work is delivered on a one to one or group work basis. It engages with young people and their families using restorative practices to address risk and vulnerability issues to prevent offending and anti-social behaviour. It enables young people to make appropriate lifestyle choices and increase their own safety and wellbeing alongside support from YPS and other agencies if required. Young people can also access, as part of YPS, our own mentoring service.
YPS interventions can include sessions on actions and consequences, anger management, peer pressure and self-esteem. Interventions are personalised using a holistic assessment that informs the needs-led support programme for each young person. YPS interventions have a planned intervention timescale of up to 12 weeks once each young person and there family have committed to engaging to the programme. Intervention includes signposting to universal services or service partners during the YPS intervention or as part of each young person exit plan as required.
The YPS programme can also provide limited diversionary activity interventions during evenings and school holidays linked to improvements in behaviour and as a complement to any 1-1 or group work complete whist engaging on with the prevention service.
Who is eligible and how can I make a referral to Prevention Services?
In order to be eligible for support young people must present with a combination the following issues:
young person is involved in anti-social behaviour and at risk of offending
behavioural problems at home, school and in the community
issues at school – educational, behavioural, attendance etc. Are they at risk of fixed term or permanent exclusion?
there are concerns regarding substance misuse, mental health, sexual health or teenage pregnancy risks
there are concerns around family relationships or family breakdown
any other risks or vulnerabilities
How to report a concern
If you are a professional please use the online form to report any concerns about a child or young person, regarding anti-social behaviour or offending.
Before you complete the form you will need to register for an online account. This will enable you to save a form and come back to it later. It will also ensure that the information you provide is kept secure.
Report a concern
What happens after you report a concern?
Your report will be viewed by a social worker, Monday-Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm (excluding bank holidays) and responded to within 24 hours. You will be notified of the outcome in writing within five working days.
Should you have any immediate safeguarding concerns, please contact the Integrated Front Door immediately on 0151 606 2008 or if out of office hours on 0151 677 6557.
More information about the reporting process can be found on the Wirral Safeguarding Board website.
Volunteer opportunities at the Youth Justice Service
Mentoring is a service offered to young people throughout the Youth Justice Service. A young person is matched with a volunteer mentor, who will act as positive role model and can offer support and guidance to the young person to focus on making positive steps away from offending.
Who is eligible and how can I make a referral for the Mentor Service?
The young person’s case manager will carry out a detailed assessment of their needs and may decide that a Mentor will be beneficial. It is a voluntary relationship for both the Mentor and Mentee. It is not part of a court order.
How can someone apply to be a volunteer?
New intakes of volunteers are regularly required by the service. Mentors are trained for five days and expected to volunteer with us for a reasonable amount of time to use their training accordingly.
Please contact Carl Loughlin, Volunteer Coordinator, to register your interest: carlloughlin2@wirral.gov.uk
Youth Justice Management Board
Wirral Youth Justice Service has in place a strategic Board chaired by Elizabeth Hartley Assistant Director for Early Help and Prevention, Children’s Services.
The board is made up of statutory partners and co-opted members representing organisations or agencies with an interest in supporting the work of the Youth Justice Service.
Responsibilities and Role of the Wirral Youth Justice Management Board (WYJMB):
to provide leadership and oversight of youth justice services
to contribute to local multi-agency strategies and work with local and national criminal justice organisations
to safeguard children and young people who receive youth justice services
To fulfil these responsibilities, the WYJMB will:
determine how the Youth Justice Service (sometimes referred to as the YOT) is to be composed and funded, how it is to operate and what functions it is to carry out
oversee the formulation each year of a Youth Justice Strategic Plan (The Annual Plan)
oversee the appointment or designation of a Youth Justice Service Manager
as part of the Youth Justice Strategic Plan, agree measurable objectives linked to Key Performance Indicators, including the National Standards for Youth Justice