www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Information for Parents
Preventing offending and anti-social behaviour
Many children are at risk of getting in trouble with the law, and the Youth Justice Board (YJB) has developed a number of prevention programmes to help prevent this happening.
or contact Wiltshire Youth Offending Service, Court Mills Building, Polebarn Road, Trowbridge, telephone: 01225 781202.
If your child is aged between 8 and 13, there is a Youth Inclusion and Support Panel, called Families in Focus, which might be able to help you access the services you need to stop your child getting into trouble – call 01225 768684 for more information.
You may also be able to attend a Parenting Programme to help you improve your skills for dealing with problem behaviour that puts your child at risk of becoming involved in offending or anti-social behaviour. In Wiltshire the parenting service is provided by “ask”, a voluntary agency who undertake this work on behalf of the Youth Offending Service. For further information contact: “ask”, Elmsgate, Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, BA14 6HP, telephone: 01380 871200.
Parenting Programmes are mainly voluntary. If however your child's behaviour is persistently problematic you may be advised to attend a Parenting Programme by your local Youth Offending Service. If you fail to attend the YOS can apply for a Parenting Order to compel you to do so.
Family Group Conferences bring families together (including people like aunts, uncles and grandparents) to talk about and decide the sort of help they need. Their advocacy service can provide someone to help children to say what they feel and want. Contact Barnardos Family Group Conference and Advocacy Service on 01225 777562.
Wiltshire Pathways is the Wiltshire Children & Young People's Services Partnership, which has responsibility for developing services for children and young people in Wiltshire on a multi-agency basis. The website has contacts for other services that might be able to help, such as Children and Families Social Work Teams, Connexions, and mental health teams.
There are a range of activities run across Wiltshire during the holidays that might help your child stay out of trouble – some are free, or you may be entitled to a discount.
If your child is arrested
If your child is arrested for a criminal offence and they are under 17 years old, the police must tell you as soon as possible.
The police should not interview your child until you are present, unless a delay would mean an immediate risk of harm to someone or serious loss of, or damage to, property. If you cannot go to the police station, another ‘appropriate adult’ will attend the interview with your child.
Your child has the same rights to legal advice as an adult, including being given free legal advice from the duty solicitor.
If the police charge your child, they will be bailed (allowed to go home) or remanded (stay) in custody before appearing in a Youth Court. If your child pleads guilty or is convicted of the charge, they will be sentenced by the Youth Court. For more serious offences, the Youth Court will refer the case to the Crown Court.
If your child is jointly charged with an adult, they will be dealt with in the adult court.
The Youth Justice Board website provides more information on the youth justice system: and the sentence your child might get, if found guilty:
The Community Legal Service runs a service that can help you deal with your legal problems. It provides free information, help and advice on a range of common issues.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the safer schools pages, please send them to saferschools@wiltshire.gov.uk or fill in and return our feedback form.
