Interventions with young people have been developed, therefore, in response to what we have learnt about why they become involved in crime. The majority of young people in contact with the Youth Offending Team have major educational difficulties. Lack of educational attainment will have long-term consequences for themselves, their communities and their families as it increases the likelihood of further involvement in crime. Alcohol and drugs contribute significantly to offending behaviour and impacts on the health of young offenders. In many cases, the relationship between parents and persistent young offenders has or is on the point of breaking down.
Parents struggle to exercise their responsibilities.
They require active support to establish control and this has become a major focus of the work of the Youth Offending Team. Many young offenders do not think through the consequences of their behaviour and its impact on their victims, the community and their families. The Youth Offending Team confronts young people with the consequences of their behaviour, challenges them about the effects of their behaviour and brings them into contact with victims, either directly or indirectly. Young people who are subject to orders from the court have attended individual and group work programmes with members of the Youth Offending Team and its partners that address these factors. The achievements of the Youth Offending Team demonstrate the importance of partnership work through a multi-agency focus to combating crime.