Children and young people

All young people who plead guilty and receive a first conviction in the Youth Court must be given a Referral Order, unless it is a serious offence. They will be asked to attend a meeting of a special youth panel of trained volunteers and Youth Offending Team (YOT) staff. The role of the panel is to understand why the young person offended and put together a programme to prevent them offending further. If they complete the programme successfully, their conviction will be regarded as spent.

What happens before the panel meets?

The panel must be set up within three weeks of the order being made. Before the offender leaves court, they should make an appointment with a YOT staff member. He or she will arrange a meeting with them and their parents or carers to produce a short report for panel members.

Who will be at the panel meeting?

At the meeting the following may be present:

• the panel - two trained volunteers and a YOT officer;
• the young person who is the subject of the order, with parents, carers or an adult friend.
• the victim of the crime.

Where will it be held?

The meeting will be held at a venue close to where the young person lives. They and their family will be informed of the time and place beforehand. They should inform the YOT staff of any days and times when it would be difficult to attend.

How long is the order for?

The order can be in force for between three and 12 months and the court determines the length. The panel will meet at the beginning and the end of the order and at three-month intervals to check on progress.

What will be expected of the young person?

At the initial meeting, they will be asked to sign up to a binding contract to undertake a programme of activities. In some cases, they will not to go to certain places or see certain people. They will also be expected to undertake some tasks to put things right with the victim.

What if they do not keep to the contract?

If the terms of the contract are not kept, the panel has the power to send the young person back to court to be re-sentenced. They may, as a result, receive a more severe form of sentence.

What happens when they successfully complete the contract?

Once the order is successfully completed the panel will sign it off. The conviction will then be classed as spent. It will no longer count against them, almost as if it never happened.

What are the young person's rights?

They have a right to:

• see their file;
• complain if they believe they are receiving unfair treatment.

Their allocated Youth Offending Team worker will provide help and advice if they wish to complain.

Important information

Children and their parents or carers have the right to be treated fairly, openly and with respect during their contact with this service. In the same way, they are expected to treat others with similar respect. YOT services are available to all, irrespective of race, language, culture, gender, religion, disabilities, sexual orientation or family responsibility.

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