Youth Justice

Working with young people who are considered 'at risk' of, accused of, or convicted of offending or anti-social behaviour is a challenging field of work. Many of these children and young people have caused emotional, physical, financial and social harm to others, yet they have the same needs and are entitled to the same rights as all children. Practitioners need to be equipped to defend the rights and address the needs of the offender whilst also assessing and managing the risks they present to themselves and others.

Youth Justice provides a comprehensive overview of the youth justice system. It offers a clear, accessible guide to the relevant legal rules and principles by applying key pieces of legislation and policy to the different stages of the youth justice process - from arrest and detention through to community and custodial sentences. Highlighting the importance of upholding children's rights, the discussion is grounded within a children's rights framework and considers potential practice interventions to address breaches of rights or harmful practice. By drawing together key legislation, academic research and case examples, this book provides a succinct and up-to-date account of this complex field for both students and practitioners