Final warning
Information for Parent(s)/Carers and Young People:
What is the final warning?
- The final warning is for young people who have committed an offence
- Final warnings are only available to first or second time offenders
- Final warnings are not suitable for very serious offenders
- The final warning is given at the Police Station by a Police Officer. If the young person offends again within 2 years, the young person will be charged to Court
- The final warning results in a referral to the Youth Offending Service who may become involved in order to prevent offending.
What happens next?
A member of staff from the Youth Offending Service will arrange an appointment to meet the young person and his/her parent(s) or guardian, usually before the Police issue the final warning.
The first meeting is called the Assessment Meeting. The purpose of this Assessment will be to try and understand why the young person has got into trouble, and what can be done to prevent further offending.
What will the young person have to do?
Every young person receiving a final warning is expected to co-operate with the Youth Offending Service in relation to the Assessment Meeting.
Depending upon the result of the Assessment, the young person may be required to undertake a programme of work for a period of up to 3 months.
This programme could involve any of the following activities:
- Making an apology to the victim either personally or in writing
- An activity which benefits the community e.g removing graffiti
- Attending sessions abut Victim Awareness and Consequences of Crime
- Work related to the offence e.g anger management, alcohol or drug awareness etc
- Constructive Activities.
What happens if the young person fails to co-operate?
If the young person fails to complete the assessment or any programmes of work, the Youth Offending Service will notify the Police. This non-compliance will be placed on the young persons record for future reference.
In the event of a further offence and subsequent Court appearance, the Court will be told of the non-compliance. The Court will take this fact into consideration when they sentence.
The Court may ask the Youth Offending Service for the background of the non-compliance to help them determine the appropriate level of sentence.
What do parents and guardians need to do?
In short, take seriously their responsibilities to prevent the young person from committing further offences.
They should help the young person through the final warning process by ensuring he/she attends appointments as required.
They should also talk to the young person about the work they have been required to do, and work in partnership with the South Tyneside Youth Offending Service.
