Page 74 - JUSTICE Tackling Racial Injustice - Children and the Youth Justice System

Youth Order Review Panels

3.40 To compliment PSHs, Northamptonshire YOT has also introduced Youth
Order Review Panels (YORPs). 212 The purpose of YORPs is to support a child
who has been given a Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO) to complete their
sentence. 213

3.41 Anecdotal feedback and preliminary research suggest that both the children
and magistrates who have participated in these panels have valued the
experience and believe them to be worthwhile. 214 We have heard that
magistrates believe they better understand the child, and their circumstances,
which allows them to make better decisions concerning the child. Although
evaluation of the approach is still underway, initial feedback has suggested that
they have helped to improve children’s engagement with YROs.

3.42 YORPs demonstrate how important it is to engage with a child brought into
the YJS. Without this kind of encouragement it is likely that many of the
children who have participated in YORPs would otherwise have breached their
orders, rather than adaptations being made to help the child achieve the aims
of the order. Such an approach can provide learning at different stages of the
justice system, whether it is engaging with children to find out why they are
struggling with Knife Crime Prevention Orders, or talking to children before
instituting a stop and search. Should an evaluation demonstrate that YORPs
have a positive impact, we recommend that they take place at every Youth
Court, with a particular emphasis on ensuring access for BAME children.
Further, we understand that sentence review hearings are only available for
those under the age of 18. Should evaluation of YORPs prove positive, we

212 A YORP consists of two magistrates and a member of the Youth Offending Team (YOT), meeting
with the child at the YOT centre. The focus is on encouraging the child to complete the YRO, rather
than guilting and shaming them into doing it. As such, it is not mandatory for the child to attend. Should
the child attend, they will discuss the YRO with the magistrates, with the conversation revolving around
how to ensure compliance and understanding whether there are any barriers to completion. Should
problems be identified, amendments to the orders can be made.

213 A Youth Rehabilitation Order is a community sentence which can include one or more of 18 different
requirements that the young adult must comply with for up to three years. These are provided for in
sections 1-4 and Schedules 1 to 4 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.
214 ‘Northamptonshire Model - YRO Review Panels’ Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service.

67