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Croydon Youth Offending Team |
| Referral Orders and Youth Offender Panels |
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About Referral OrdersREFERRAL ORDERS are a key element of the Government’s strategy to reduce offending by young people. Young offenders aged between 10 and 17 appearing at Court for the first time and pleading guilty are referred to a YOUTH OFFENDER PANEL for between 3 and 12 months. The only exceptions are very minor cases or if the Court passes a custodial sentence or hospital order. Since their introduction in April 2002, Referral Orders account for over a third of all Court disposals. Youth Offender PanelsPanels are made up of at least 2 trained volunteers from the community (Community Panel Members), and a Referral Order Officer from the YOT. Panels are held at various venues throughout the Borough. It is up to the young person to agree a “contract” with the panel and, whenever possible, the victim. The young person is supervised by their YOT Officer and has to attend further panel meetings during the term of the Order. If the young person is under 16, their parents or carers can be ordered to attend the Panel by the Court. Victims are also contacted and invited to attend and take part or have their views represented at the Panel If the young offender fails to agree a contract or fails to abide by it during the term of the order, the case can be referred back to the court for re-sentencing if that is the recommendation of The Panel. Restorative JusticeReferral Order Panels are based on the principles of Restorative Justice. VictimsIt is widely acknowledged that victim participation plays an important part in the new youth justice system, especially where Referral Orders are concerned. All victims are contacted by the Youth Offending Team and asked if they want to attend the panel meeting. If victims do not wish to take part, they can be represented at the meeting or have their views put across in other ways such as a written statement or even a tape recording. Victims can also expect to be kept informed of the progress of the case if they wish to be. Attendance of victims is purely voluntary and with the agreement of the Panel.
Panel VenuesThe majority of Panels are held at Taberner House during the early evenings. Day time Panels are currently held at the YOT Office
How is a youth offender panel different from a youth court?Although the Panel has the backing of the court, it is not a court of law. There are several important differences:
More Information?
YOT ContactIf you would like to know more about Referral Orders, or would like information about becoming a Community Panel Member, please contact: Noel WHEATLEY
WE WILL SOON BE RECRUITING FOR TRAINING IN JUNE. APPLICATIONS CLOSE 31st MARCH 2008 Email for an application form (click)
TOPYOT LeafletsClick here to see a leaflet for clients about Referral Orders. Web SiteThe Youth Justice Board have a special website devoted to Youth Offender Panels Page last reviewed 20th January 2008 |
| Croydon
Youth Offending Team 14 Whitehorse Road - Croydon - CR0 2JA Telephone: 020 8404 5800 Fax: 020 8404 5810 |