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 childrenÂs services
- schools and education authorities
- charities and the local community