Luton Youth Partnership Service

Service
This intervention will work towards preventing reoffending by finding alternatives to formal criminal justice proceedings. The programme will work with Young People who have committed first-time or low-level offences and have been diverted away from the statutory youth justice service. The model brings youth justice expertise into police stations to assist with decision making regarding alternative routes to charge, and refer into the scheme for tailored support and intervention.

The concept, taken from the hospital triage model, seeks to act as a ‘gateway’ whereby all young people entering custody can be rapidly assessed to ensure that they are dealt with swiftly and effectively thereby reducing the time children and young people spend in custody and reducing the number of young people that enter the criminal justice system needlessly.

At this ‘gateway’, key information can be gathered and shared between the Youth Justice Service, Police and other partner agencies to inform decision making and ensure that the risk, needs of the victim, the young person and the community are addressed. Triage provides the option of early diversion for young people involved in low level criminality, with low risk of re-offending and tailored support packages.

Grant funding

£30,000