Children in trouble with the law
Our goal
We want to see government policy and practice respond to children in trouble as troubled children. We want those at risk of or engaged in offending to have improved life chances.
Get involved
Barnardo's policy and research on Children in Trouble with the law is supported by our campaign Kids Inside. Join our Kids Inside campaign
How we aim to achieve our goal:
- increasing a policy and practice focus on the quality of a child's home life when they are, or are at risk of being, in trouble with the law
- making a case for, and increasing the use of, specialist services which successfully address the more complex and unique needs of the most troubled children
- achieving an increase in the use of alternatives to custodial sentencing and ensuring that when custody must be used, that it provides young people with the best possible support towards achieving and succeeding on release
- influencing the development of a joined-up and appropriate workforce centrally and locally which is able to respond to the welfare needs of troubled children.
Our plan for 2011
Over 2011 we will be investigating the role of Barnardo's services who work with some of the most troubled children and young people who are engaged in, or at risk of, offending. In addition we monitor any changes made to the government's response to children in trouble with the law following the proposals in the Ministry of Justice Green Paper.
Current response to government proposal
Anti-Social Behaviour Consultation
Barnardo's is responding to the Home Office proposals for tackling Anti-Social Behaviour, making the case the police will not be able to respond effectively to anti-social behaviour committed by children if they act alone. We are calling on a cross-government response to anti-social behaviour with a clear role for children's services.
The deadline for responses is the 17th May and information on the consultation can be accessed via the following link to the Home Office website:
Anti-Social Behaviour Consultation
Join our Kids Inside campaign and ask Government to re-think their proposal
Recent policy response to government paper
Barnardo's response to the Ministry of Justice,
Download Breaking the Cycle, Green Paper (PDF)
Recent research on the issue
No Fixed Abode - Barnardo's report into the housing struggle for young people leaving custody in England
Download No Fixed Abode (PDF)
Playground to Prison - Barnardo's report making the case for a review of the age of criminal responsibility
Download Playground to Prison (PDF)