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

Intensive Support and Surveillance

What is Intensive Supervision and Surveillance (ISS)?

Intensive Supervision and Surveillance (ISS) can be a requirement of:

  • Youth Rehabilitation Orders (YRO)
  • Bail conditions (for offences that can include being sentenced to custody)
  • Supervision when released from custody

ISS is the last chance not to go to prison either on remand or a custodial sentence.
It is also used to help young people with lots of issues on release from custody.
If  they re-offend, or break the conditions of ISS, then they may end up with a custodial sentence.

ISS is given to young people who continue to offend or commit crimes that are serious in nature.

It is designed to help them stop offending by bringing structure and boundaries to their lifestyle.

This  can  be  difficult  and  demanding ,  and  will  require  effort.

The ISS part of a YRO can be up to 12-months long but is usually only 6-months (when included as part of a YRO or release from custody).

At the start the level of contact is 25 hours per week – but this will reduce further into the order, provided the young person  makes  good  progress.

What will ISS involve?

For the first three or four months of the programme the young person will be required to have 25 hours contact a week.

The YOS worker will give the young person a timetable for each week that they must stick to.

The timetable will include activities such as education/training, work (paid or unpaid), life skills, family support and offending behaviour work.

The programme will also encourage them to think about things that they are good at, and try to get them involved in these too – we can support them with activities that they want to get involved in. The level of support available to them is very high and we will work with them to make sure they  get the most from the programme.

ISS is designed to support  young people as much as it is to stop them offending.

Support can also be offered to the parent(s)/carer(s) where appropriate –they may play an important part in stopping the young person from re-offending. They will also be subject to surveillance and monitoring which can come in the form of staff tracking them, electronic tags, voice verification over the telephone and police checks.

If the young person makes good progress with ISS then an application can be made to change or revoke part of the order.

What they M U S T do

  • They must turn up to all sessions they are given.
  • They must turn up to all sessions on time.
  • They must work with the YOS staff on why they have offended.
  • Tell the YOS if they are struggling to come to the session, and the YOS will do everything they can to help them.
  • Tell the YOS as early as they can to avoid getting into trouble.
  • Tell YOS if they change your address and contact information.

What they must  N O T  do

  • Must not miss any sessions or be late.
  • Must not attend any sessions under the influence of drugs, alcohol or other substances.
  • They must not be disrespectful or rude.
  • They must not bring a dog to the sessions.
  • Must not bring any knifes, weapons or sharp objects to the sessions.
  • Cannot bring friends along to wait  during the sessions.

What the YOS will do

  • We will respect all information, but if it will help the young person to stop offending we will share it with Police, Prison Service, Probation, Social Services, Health, Schools and Personal Advisers.
  • If we are told that they are not safe in prison, at home or in the community we will need to share this with other agencies to help make them safe. We will explain why we have to do this.
  • If something happens to them, or if they are having ANY difficulties, we may be able to help and will do all we can to keep them safe.
  • We will explain why and how we support them to stop offending.
  • We will talk to them about what they have done, and what effect it had on the victim or the local community.
  • We will answer any questions they might have to help them complete the order and stop offending.
  • We will follow their progress to make sure they’re taking part and help them stop offending.
  • We want them to succeed and have a good life.
  • The YOS respect and value people of different races, religions, genders, disabilities, sexualities and ages

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