Harrow Youth Justice Service

Youth Justice Services (YJS) were created under the Crime & Disorder Act 1998. The Act showed that partnership working is important for reducing offending by children. It also made it a legal duty for all Local Authorities in England and Wales to set up these services.

Harrow YJS are a child‑first, inclusive, and empowering system. It ensures children and families are safe, supported, and able to thrive. The YJS supports children aged 10 to 17 who may be struggling or have made mistakes. They work with children to help them learn new skills, make safer choices, and discover their strengths so they can build a positive future and contribute to their community with confidence.

What is the role of the Youth Justice Service

Prevention of offending

The YJS works to help children stay safe and make positive choices before things go wrong. They look at what might be causing a young person to struggle and offer support that fits their needs. This can include helping their family too, so everyone feels supported. The aim is to give children the tools, confidence, and guidance they need to build a brighter future.

Support for children

The YJS helps children who have got into trouble to understand what happened and how to make safer choices in the future. They offer guidance and programmes that build confidence, skills, and resilience. The YJS works with each child to help them learn from their actions, reconnect with their community, and move forward in a positive, hopeful way.

Assessment and intervention

When a child meets the YJS, the team takes time to get to know them and understand what’s going on in their life. They look at the things that might be making life harder and the strengths the young person already has. This helps the YJS create a personalised support plan that focuses on what the young person needs to feel safe, make positive choices, and move forward with confidence.

Collaboration with partner agencies

The YJS works together with other teams to ensure children receive the best support.

• Children Social Care: help with family support and home life.
• Education, Training and Employment: make sure learning and employment needs are looked after.
• Health Services: support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Police: keep everyone safe and help with legal steps when needed.

By teaming up, these services make a strong support network that looks at all parts of a child’s life. This helps them get the right help to grow, learn, and move forward with confidence.

Victim support

The YJS also helps people who have been affected by youth crime. They make sure victims feel listened to, supported, and safe. The YJS works to understand what the victim needs and offers the right kind of help, so they can begin to feel more confident and move forward.

Know your rights

Youth Justice Charter

The Youth Justice Charter explains your rights and what you should expect at every stage of the youth justice system. It sets out clear standards so you know how you should be treated if you are stopped by the police, go to court, work with youth justice services, go into youth custody, or leave custody. The Charter is there to make sure you feel safe, respected, and supported throughout the whole process. Youth Justice Charter - GOV.UK

Stop and Search

Stop and Search Rights are important because they give children the power to know what’s fair, to speak up for themselves, and to make sure they are treated with respect and dignity by the police. Police powers to stop and search: your rights - GOV.UK

Victims Code

Victims’ Rights are important because they make sure people who’ve been harmed are listened to, treated with respect, and given the support they need to feel safe and move forward with strength. Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales - GOV.UK

Want to volunteer at Harrow YJS

The YJS works with people in the community to support children who have got into trouble. Sometimes, when a young person has committed an offence, they receive a referral order. This is a statutory court order that helps them:

• Learn from mistakes
• Repair harm they may have caused
• Get support with challenges in their life

A referral order panel is made up of the child, their parent/guardian and volunteers from the local community. These volunteers play an important role in helping children feel heard, supported, and motivated to make positive changes.

If you would like to help children in Harrow, you can become a volunteer. Volunteers:

• Must live or work in the London Borough of Harrow
• Take part in intensive training
• Are able to give several hours a week to support children