The YJB recognises the adverse impact anti-social behaviour can have on everyone in a community – both adults and children – and the importance of addressing such behaviour.
We view the role of the YOT as central to making lasting differences in the lives of young people and communities where anti-social behaviour exists. YOT interventions should work alongside measures such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs), Parenting Orders and Individual Support Orders (ISOs). In June 2005, the YJB announced that funding had been secured for 2005-2006 to assist in the implementation of ISOs.
YOTs are ideally placed to ensure that the above measures are used in the most appropriate and effective way. To this end, we are working to ensure that:
- there is an appropriate use of preventive measures, and there is adequate contact with YOTs before ASBOs are applied for – either on application or on conviction
- YOTs are given sufficient resources to become involved in anti-social behaviour cases locally
- appropriate and effective conditions are attached to ASBOs to prevent breaches and future anti-social behaviour
- these new measures should not lead to an increase in the use of custody for young people, resulting from ASBO breaches, and that the full use of alternative court sanctions be considered.
Guidance
Providing consistent advice to courts in ASBO proceedings
Click here to view or download Guidance for YOTs in providing consistent advice to courts in ASBO proceedings.
The objectives of the guidance are to ensure:
- early consultation and participation of the YOT in anti-social behaviour decision-making processes
- children and young people made subject to ASBOs , and their parents, are offered support to avoid a repetition of the anti-social behaviour
- the nature and extent of that support is based on a structured assessment that takes into account the needs of the child or young person
- where different agencies take on different roles in the anti-social behaviour process in different parts of England and Wales, the core elements of the guidance are covered
The guidance is linked to the joint departmental approach to increasing the take up of ISOs.
YOTs and anti-social behaviour
We have worked closely with the Home Office and Association of Chief Police Officers to produce guidance on how ASBOs can be best used to address the nuisance behaviour of young people. Provided these guidelines are followed, we will continue to support the role they play in protecting communities and young people themselves. Click to download or order Anti-social Behaviour Guidance: A guide to the role of youth offending teams in dealing with anti-social behaviour.
Autism and anti-social behaviour
The guidance above includes information about the relationship between disability, mental health and special educational needs, and anti-social behaviour. For more information on this, and in particular the impact autistice spectrum disorders may have on anti-social behaviour, see the
National Autistic Society website [opens in new window].
Autism: a guide for criminal justice professionals [opens in new window]provides background information about autistic spectrum disorders. It aims to assist all professionals working in the criminal justice system, who may come into contact with someone who has autism, particularly police officers, solicitors, barristers, magistrates, justices of the peace, the judiciary and the courts.
Research
ASBOs
In November 2006, we published research into ASBOs given to young people between January 2004 and January 2005, which examined:
- the processes leading to the imposition of an ASBO
- the perceptions of key professionals and sentencers involved in applications for, and administration of, the order
- the views and experiences of young people who have been subject to an ASBO, and those of their parents/carers.
Click to download or order a copy of the summary or order a hardcopy of the full report for £8.
Breaches of ASBOs
In response to concern about the impact of anti-social behaviour legislation on young people and YOTs, the YJB commissioned research on young people entering custody as a result of breaching an ASBO. Click here to read about the study.