Northumberland Youth Justice Service

The YJS work with young people (aged 10 to 19) with the aim of preventing them from offending, reoffending, and helping them to engage in activities to fulfil their potential.

The service is made up of a social worker, court officers, restorative justice practitioners, police officers, a health and wellbeing worker, speech and language practitioners, specialist workers, probation and restorative justice workers.

The team involves people from these different agencies to help access the services young people need to turn them away from crime. Through close multi-agency and partnership working, the YJS is committed to keeping crime low and diverting young people away from the criminal justice system.

The service helps prevent offending by working with children and young people, aged 10-19, and their families.

When a young person is given an 'out of court' disposal, or sentenced in the Youth Court/Crown Court, a youth justice service (YJS) worker will complete an assessment. Following this, an intervention plan based on the young person’s strengths and assessed risk will be agreed with them and their family/carers.

What we do

The Youth Justice Service:

works with young people who have received an out-of-court disposal from police, or who have been to court for an offence, and the court has ordered them to work with the YJS
provides reports for the court to advise on what services are available, to assist in decisions about sentencing for young people
provides services to parents to help them respond to any difficulties their children have
works with victims of youth crime, offering advice and information, and an opportunity for the effects of the offence to be made known to the young person, either directly or indirectly.

Further information about the YJS

The leaflets listed below explain the different aspects of the Youth Justice Service, including information for victims and parents: