In the specialist services section
- Restorative justice
- Education, training & employment
- Parenting
- Mental health
- Substance misuse
- Constructive activities
Our experience and the evidence shows that young people involved in anti-social and offending behaviour will have a range of needs which must be addressed if we are to successfully steer them towards a more a constructive lifestyle and they are to fulfil their potential.
All young people who come into contact with the Youth Offending Service are assessed to identify what these needs, and associated risks, are so that an appropriate intervention can be designed to meet them.
The Specialist Services wing of the YOS is comprised of members of staff who, singly, or in small teams, possess the knowledge and skills to tackle specific needs. So, for example, the YOS is able to support young people in dealing with a range of health needs, and concerns about education training and employment, or substance misuse issues. We can also help them make better use of their free time by taking part in constructive activities, or challenge their attitudes to offending through groupwork programmes.
Restorative Justice
Just as importantly, our Restorative Justice services (Mediation, Restorative Conferencing and Family Group Conferencing) have been established to support victims of crime and to help young people repair the damage, physical or emotional, caused by their behaviour, often by participating in community based reparation schemes.
Not least of all, we recognise the needs of parents who on occasions need support in managing and responding to children who have become involved in offending behaviour, or from time to time experience difficulties in school or with their attendance. To this end we regular parenting skills development courses on an individual or groupwork basis.
