Youth Offending

Implementation of orders

An order is made by the courts when someone is found guilty of an offence. It details what punishment people must receive for their offences.

A community sentence, or a non-custodial sentence, means that people serve their punishment in the community.

The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is a non-departmental public body. The aim of the Youth Justice Board is to prevent offending by children and young people.

When young people first get into trouble, behave antisocially or commit minor offences, they can be dealt with outside of the court system. If children are behaving antisocially, the police and local authority can use a variety of pre-court orders including:

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts
Antisocial Behaviour Orders
Local child curfews
Child safety orders

If they have committed a first or second minor offence, a system of reprimands and final warnings can be used by the Police.

The purpose of these pre-court orders is to stop young people getting sucked into the Youth Justice System too early, whilst still offering them the help and support they need to stop offending.

The Youth Justice Board website shows how the Youth Justice System works, what and who is involved.

Alternatively, there is a 'Referral Orders and Youth Offender Panels - Guidance for Courts, Youth Offending Teams and Youth Offender Panels' document available to view on the Home Office website.