Children referred for offences were more likely to have come first to the attention of Reporters between 5 and 11 years. This may point to the importance of early intervention in the lives of some of the children, especially attempts to offset the development of offending. The nature of this intervention, however, needs careful consideration as very little is known about the links between intervention and outcome. In the case of children referred to the hearings system the main plank of intervention is the supervision requirement. The study shows an apparent consistency in applying criteria for the selection of children and young people for supervision, but little is known about what happens to them as recipients of intervention.
Voluntary measures appear to be used only exceptionally.
The relationship between formal and informal measures in providing support to children and their families should be a policy concern. The vast majority of children referred for offending were living in poor economic and social circumstances and experiencing adversities broadly similar to the whole cohort. The findings lend support to the rationale behind an integrated Children's Hearings system, i.e. that the differences between children who offend and children in need of care and protection are likely to be outweighed by the similarities in their social adversity. Whilst most children and young people referred for offending are diverted from all formal processes, almost certainly some young people leave the system with their troubles unresolved. They are currently seen to have outgrown the Children's Hearings system but remain solidly vulnerable.