Youth Justice Agency (YJA)
Key Focus: To support children and young people who have offended or are at risk of offending, offering early stage diversion, bail support, court ordered disposals and custodial services to help prevent offending and promote desistance
Key responsibilities include assessing needs, risks and protective factors, developing intervention plans to address offending behaviour, which are systemic, restorative, strengths based and future focused. Interventions are underpinned by a trauma informed, child first, rights -based approach in collaboration with other agencies
Roles and responsibilities:
- Implement prevention programmes to divert children and young people from offending
- Assess the needs, risks and protective factors in relation of children and young people at risk of or involved in offending, some of whom may also be victims of CCE
- Develop intervention plans for children and young people in the criminal justice system
- Provide court reports on children and young people's circumstances, including CCE factors
- Supervise children and young people who are subject of community PPS or Court Ordered Disposals
- Deliver programmes to address needs underlying offending behaviour to support children and their families
- Provide restorative justice interventions and support to victims
- Work with children and young people in custody to plan for their release
- Collaborate with other agencies to support children and young people's resettlement
- Advocate for children and young people's rights within the criminal justice system (CJS)
Lead or primary role
Early Identification and Assessment
- YJA adopt a “Child First” approach, aiming to prevent offending and reoffending by identifying and supporting children and young people at risk before they enter the formal justice system. YJA facilitate Children’s Diversion Forums (CDFs) to identify and support children and young people vulnerable to offending, where there may be criminal exploitation. YJA assess the needs of these children and young people and provide appropriate support. They help create a cohesive and effective system to address CCE and protect children and young people.
Coordination of Information and Response
- YJA collect and share information related to CCE with other agencies, contributing to the delivery of coordinated services to address the needs of the child They support children and parents involved in the Criminal Justice System to recognise and respond to CCE, in partnership with others.
Significant input or role
Safeguarding Structures and Thresholds
YJA is involved in safeguarding structures and understand where CCE fits within these frameworks. They follow clear guidelines, policies, and procedures for intervention and support. Additionally, they contribute to family support and child protection plans in collaboration with other partner agencies.
Multi-Agency Collaboration
YJA collaborate with social services, youth services, education, police and other agencies to provide support. This collaboration ensures that all relevant information is shared, the needs of children and families are met and that services are well-coordinated. YJA contribute to the development of family support and protection plans.
Disruption of Exploitation
YJA helps disrupt CCE by proactively sharing information on grooming patterns, unsafe locations, and concerning associates, and by using supervision, diversion, and safety planning to limit perpetrator access. Through professional curiosity, regular monitoring, and strong relationships with children and families, YJA identifies emerging risks early and challenges the influence of exploiters. YJA contributes to multi‑agency disruption plans, supports police with contextual information for protective orders, addresses online and community‑based risks, and works with parents and partners to reduce opportunities for exploitation and strengthen protective networks around the child.
Supporting role
Early Preventative Work
YJA engages in early preventative work by raising awareness and educating children and young people about CCE. They provide support to the child or young person and their families to prevent issues from escalating and have clear pathways for making referrals and delivering appropriate interventions to reduce risk of exploitation.