Action Plan
Click to download our Referral Order Action Plan 2009/10 [47Kb PDF, opens in new window]. It aims to improve the quality of Referral Orders and the work of youth offender panels, building on the progress made to date in order to ensure the continuing confidence of sentencers and the community.
The Action Plan was developed following the consultation on the document Referral Orders – Priorities for Action [78.4Kb PDF, opens in new window] which was published in September 2007. Click to read a summary of the consultation responses [49Kb PDF, opens in new window].
The passing of this Act has direct implications on Referral Orders. Click to read more details on the Act, and the changes it makes to Referral Orders.
Referral Order Guidance
Revised
Referral Order Guidance [opens in new window] was published in May 2009 by the YJB, Ministry of Justice and DCSF.
This guidance provides updated information to youth offending teams, community panel members and court staff on new provisions on Referral Orders that came into force in April 2009.
It outlines how the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 gives more flexibility and allows wider use of referral orders through:
- a discretionary power to impose a Referral Order on young offenders convicted for the second time of an offence and who plead guilty, where they had not previously had a referral order
- a power to extend or revoke a Referral Order by up to three months in the interests of justice
- a discretionary power to make a second Referral Order on the recommendation of a youth offending team in exceptional circumstances.
Hard copies of the guidance can be ordered by calling 0870 120 7400, quoting the stock code B432.
Further guidance
The February 2004 circular on Parenting Orders and Contracts for criminal conduct or anti-social behaviour [246Kb PDF, opens in new window] contains important information about the availability of Parenting Orders with Referral Orders. In particular, see sections 6.1 to 6.13.
The National Standards for Youth Justice Services has guidelines for Referral Orders on page 48.
Reports
Youth Offender Panel volunteers in England and Wales 2002 [PDF on Home Office website, opens in new window] is a Home Office report (published September 2003) which summarises the results of a survey of all Youth Offender Panel volunteers in England and Wales in 2002.
Referral Orders were piloted in 11 YOT areas. The Introduction of Referral Orders into the Youth Justice System – Final Report [258Kb PDF, opens in new window] is the Home Office research study into the introduction of the Referral Order in those pilot areas. In March 2003 a further research report was produced which examined issues raised in the previous report. Click to access the follow-up research, or click to order the Referral Orders summary booklet.
Links
Click to view
'Panel Matters' training materials for Youth Offender Panel volunteers.
Click for Referral Order databases.
Click to read more about restorative justice, an important underlying principle of all youth justice disposals.