Youth Justice System
Advice and Support for Young People in Custody
Advocacy services
The YJB contracts two national children's charities to provide advocacy services and give a voice to children and young people being held in secure training centres (STCs) or young offender institutions (YOIs). These services are child-led and confidential, and intended to assist young people in accessing available services and resolving any issues affecting their care, through the appropriate use of existing procedures.
Under-18s in custody at a YOI in Wales, London, and the South East and South West of England ('region one'), or Medway STC, should ring the Voice [opens in new window] helpline on 0808 800 5792 for help or advice.
Advocacy services for the rest of England are provided by Barnardo's [opens in new window]:
- Those in custody at a YOI in the East of England, the East and West Midlands and Oakhill and Rainsbrook STCs ('region two') should call the freephone helpline on 0808 168 2695.
- Those in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East and North West of England, as well as Hassockfield STC ('region three') should call free on 0808 168 2694.
Other services
- Howard League advice line
This advice line is a freephone number, 0808 801 0308, available Tuesday and Wednesday, 11am to 5pm, and Thursday 11am to 7pm. It is intended for use by under 18s in custody who have legal issues that may require the Howard League’s assistance. The Howard League [opens in new window] is a penal reform charity that takes on individual cases, advising and representing children in custody, as well as providing legal advice and assistance to the professionals working with them.
- Nacro helpline
The crime reduction charity, Nacro [opens in new window] has a freephone number that prisoners and ex-offenders can call for information and advice on resettlement – 0800 0181 259. Prisoners, ex-offenders, their friends and family and anyone else dealing with them should call Nacro's Resettlement Plus Helpline on 020 7840 6464l for advice. Nacro also has an email address, available for all - helpline@nacro.org.uk.