Who We Are & What We Do

The Youth Justice Adolescence Service consists of staff from the City Council, Police, Probation and Health, and is overseen by a partnership board chaired by the Corporate Director for Children and Education. The YJS is located within the City Council’s Adolescence and Family Help Directorate, as part of the Children’s and Education Services department.

The YJS works with children and young people referred by the Court or Police on a statutory basis, and those that have been referred to work with early intervention services on a voluntary basis.

The purpose of the YJS is to prevent offending and reduce re-offending by children.

The Ministry of Justice has published a 'Youth Justice Charter'  which sets out the rights children have in the youth justice system.  It sets out what children can expect at each stage of the youth justice system — helping them understand who does what, what their rights are, and what to do if standards aren’t met. The Charter has been developed with children and key partners, and brings together existing standards in clear language to build trust and engagement. It includes posters and easy read guides, and can be accessed here: Youth Justice Charter - Youth Justice Charter - GOV.UK

YJS's key activities involve:

• Assessing the likelihood of re-offending, the risk of causing harm, and the level of safety and wellbeing concerns posed by children
• Planning and managing interventions to reduce these risks and needs
• Strengthening protective factors against further offending
• Ensuring that children completing YJS interventions have access to the full range of services to help their life chances
• Ensuring that interventions with children take account of and understand the victims and communities affected by their offending

Via Adolescence Family Help: 

• Identifying and providing interventions to children at risk of criminality or offending, exploitation, at the edge of care or risk of homelessness, with persistent mental health concerns, and who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) due to trauma or neglect

This is not to replace other service provision undertaken by specialist education, substance use, health or social care services.  Matters of significant harm must always be referred to statutory social work services.

Nottingham City YJS offers bespoke targeted prevention work for children aged 10-17. The aim of these interventions is to steer children away from crime and anti-social behaviour, helping them make the most of their lives. Workers will offer support, on a voluntary basis, to children that is individual to them, and what they think they need, and will work closely with other agencies such as schools, children’s social care, health and police to make sure that all agencies are working together to support children in their community and focused on removing barriers to change and to promote desistance.

The YJS Prevention and Early Intervention service deliver interventions in school and community settings, support targeted youth outreach groups, and provide assessment, tailored intervention and/or consultation for children, including effective exit strategies for continued support within universal provision.

Notification pathways include children being supported by the Appropriate Adult scheme in Police custody, and daily YJS Police notifications of arrests. Referral to the Adolescence Service should be done via the MASH Front Door where an assessment will be made as to the most suitable service to offer intervention and support.  .

To make, or discuss, a referral please visit Multi Agency Safeguarding Children Hub (MASH) - Nottingham City Council or Telephone 0115 876 4800.