Youth Offending Service Update: COVID-19

On 19th March 2020, the Welsh government imposed measures to help to stop the spread of Covid-19. Due to this, we have had to close the Youth Offending Service office at Mamhilad House.

Staff are continuing to work from home mainly, but are completing face to face to contacts where necessary on the basis of risk and safeguarding (using social distancing), for Court Duty, Appropriate Adult requirement and urgent administrative duties. Our telephone lines have been re-directed so that Business Support can answer all calls, if anyone needs to contact us.

Young people and their families involved with the Youth Offending Service have all been contacted. Plans have been put in place to continue with their Court Orders, Out of Court Disposals, Community Resolutions and Prevention interventions safely whilst ensuring that appointments, reports and safeguarding are continuing despite the different format.

Our service has adapted by increasing the use of technology, being pro-active and creative to deliver a service to support young people and their families/carers during this time. For example, virtual panels and meetings have been taken place.

If you need to contact us, please ring our main office telephone 01495 768300 or email us on Youthoffendingservice@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Please follow the Welsh Government Guidelines regarding COVID-19 https://gov.wales/coronavirus

Stay Safe,

Monmouthshire and Torfaen Youth Offending Service

Court Services

Court Officers

Officers from the Youth Offending Service attend youth court to inform young people and parents of the procedure if they receive a sentence, who to report to, where and when. They make assessments on suitability for bail and remand, present reports and inform the court of the progress of young people on orders. They also present information on breaches of court orders on behalf of the Youth Offending Service.

Pre-Sentence Reports

The Youth Offending Service provides information and assessments for court to inform sentencing decisions. Pre-sentence reports are requested by the court and include an analysis of the offence, the young person’s circumstances and the reasons for their behaviour, the impact on the victim and a proposal for a suitable sentence.

Bail and Remand

The court may decide to bail a young person to attend a future court hearing with conditions including a curfew, to stay away from prosecution witnesses, restricting their movements, reporting to the police station at certain times, and a programme of support from the Youth Offending Service. The number of contacts provided per week will depend on the needs of the young person and the circumstances relating to the offence

The court may remand a young person to the care of the Local Authority, in which case they become a Looked After Child for the remand period. The Youth Offending Service direct the young person to live where their needs will best be met, and in the interests of protecting the public. This can be with a family member or with specially recruited and trained foster carers, with support from the service. If the Court orders a remand to Youth Detention Accommodation, officers liaise with the Youth Justice Board to find a bed space and ensure that the young person is safely escorted there. Youth Justice Officers select the type of placement based on assessed vulnerability.

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