Pre-court work
If a young person admits to committing a low level offence, they may be given an out of court disposal. The youth offending service aims to reduce the number of young people who enter the criminal justice system and they can be referred to the YOS for a short intervention.
Triage
Triage is a process which offers activities and mainstream services to move young people away from offending behaviour without criminalising them.
Youth caution
Where a child is offered a youth caution which diverts them entering the court process. Cautions are a part of a young person’s criminal record and may show on an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS – formerly CRB) check. If a young person is given a caution, they will be offered a YOS intervention programme with access to all the services the YOS has to offer.
Prevention
The YOS offers prevention support programmes (PSP) for children and young people who are considered as being at risk of offending and will accept referrals from any services within the borough and from parents and careers. PSP works to support young people and their families on a voluntary basis to help steer them away from crime and anti-social behaviour.