Youth Justice

‘No Offence’ is the title of Edinburgh’s multi agency youth justice strategic partnership, established in 2002. The primary aim of the partnership is to provide direction, support and guidance for professionals involved at all levels with children and young people aged 8 to 18 to address their offending and antisocial behaviour.

Youth Justice Strategy Group

The overall responsibility for governance arrangements and strategic leadership is provided by the Youth Justice Strategy Group. Membership of the Group comprises senior management representatives from key partner agencies and local authority departments including; Children and Families, Health and Social Care, Services for Communities, NHS Lothian, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration and Lothian and Borders Police. See below for recent minutes from the group.

• Minutes from 30th November 2009 (PDF)
• Minutes from 3rd February 2010 (PDF)

Areas of policy and practice development

The operational management of Youth Justice is taken forward through designated thematic sub groups. Current areas of policy and practice development are:

• Development of the Transitions Service (16 and 17 year olds) (PDF)
• High Risk of Harm Management policy (PDF)
• Early and effective Intervention - Pre Referral Screening process (PRS guidance)
• Restorative practices

Youth Justice Practitioners Forum

The Youth Justice Practitioners Forum Youth Justice Practitioners' Forum Charter (Word) is a regular event that aims to provide a platform for those working directly with young people and their families across Edinburgh from local government, statutory agencies and the voluntary sector to discuss and debate issues relevant to practice within youth offending and antisocial behaviour. Recent topics have included the diversions work with 16 and 17 year olds, Edinburgh’s pre referral screening process and the proposed strategic alignment between youth offending and anti social behaviour.

Youth Offending Service

The Youth Offending Service (YOS) is a statutory Children and Families practice team based in the city centre working with children and young people aged 8 to 18. YOS is managed by Stephen Harte with a staff of senior social workers, social workers, project workers and mental health professionals with experience and expertise in both the Children’s Hearing system and the adult criminal justice system.

More information

For more information please refer to the leaflets for YOS social care professionals (Word) and clients (Word). If you would like to approach the YOS directly contact can be made by e-mail or phone.