Youth offending teams

Youth offending teams - what they are and what they do

    Youth offending teams work with young people that get into trouble with the law.

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

    They 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

    Find your local youth offending team.

    When you may come into contact with a youth offending team

    The youth offending team gets involved if a young person:

    • 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

    Usually, the police are the first people to contact the youth offending team. But family members and friends can also contact them if they’re worried about a young person’s behaviour.

    Who youth offending teams are

    Youth offending teams are part of your local council and are separate from the police and the courts.

    They work with:

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