Self Harm

The Police can stop you for a number of reasons it could be there was a crime in the area and that you match the description they were given such as the clothes you are wearing or that they can smell cannabis on you. They should ALWAYS tell why they are stopping you. If they don’t give a reason why you have been stopped, you can ask but remember always be polite.

It is important that you know that the person who is stopping you is from the police. If the person is not in uniform, they should show you their ‘warrant card’, which is a form of ID that proves they are a police officer.

You don’t have to answer any questions the police officer asks you. But if the police suspect you have committed a crime, they may question you ‘under caution’. This means anything you say is recorded and could be used to decide what happens next. You should, at all times, be respectful – swearing, shouting or being violent or aggressive is likely to result in you being charged with a crime.

The best thing to do, is to remain calm and polite. You’d be amazed how much better a situation is when the police realise that you’re just a normal person who isn’t aggressive, arrogant or a criminal. If you feel yourself getting a bit worked up concentrate on your breathing.

Warning: This film contains explicit language - Stop and Search

Y-Stop is a collaboration between young people, charities, lawyers, community and media organisations. It is run by Release in partnership with Fully Focused and StopWatch.

If the police want to search you, they must film the search on their body worn camera. They will tell you they are filming you.

If you are asked to remove more than your outer clothes (coat and gloves), the police officer must be the same gender as you.

If you're ever asked to take off something you wear for religious reasons, like a turban or veil, the police should make sure you go somewhere private where others can't see.

The police must complete a record to say they have searched you and either give you a copy of that record. This is your proof of what happened and you might need it later if you want to make a complaint. So, be sure to keep hold of it. If they cannot give you a copy of the record at the time, they will give you a card with a reference number which you can use to claim your receipt. Always ask for a receipt or a reference number.

It is important to remember that you cannot say no to being searched and the police can stop you from walking away if you try to

The police might ask you to remove more than just your outer clothing (coat/jacket and gloves). This is called a strip search. You must have a supporting adult with you for this called an Appropriate Adult . The supporting adult could be your parent, carer, social worker, or any other adult who does not work for the police. A strip search or a search exposing any of your private body parts must take place in a private space, usually inside a police station. The police officer and anyone else present must be the same gender as you. The police will take an audio recording of the search there won’t be any video.

If you are arrested and taken to the Police Station known as the Custody Suite, as you are under 18 you must be given access to an Appropriate Adult. Their job is to make sure that you the police treat your fairly and respect your rights. You can ask them any questions about what will happen to you or tell them if you are worried about anything and they will help you.

If the police are going to interview you about any offences, they will ask you if you want a solicitor. The Solicitor is free to use as you are under 18 and they are there to make sure that you are supported legally and get the best outcome if you have been arrested.

If you end up in a custody suit being questioned, the police will usually want to take photos, fingerprints and a mouth swab for DNA. Your consent is not usually needed and they can be taken by reasonable force if necessary. The police use these things to establish your identity and to prove or disprove involvement in current offence.

If you get sentenced in court to a DTO, this means you are going to custody, also known as Jail or prison or a secure unit.

When you are sent to Custody you could be sent to different places depending on your age and any needs you have. Wherever you go, you will be with other young people not with adults and you will be looked after by staff who are used to working with young people. The types of custody are:

• Secure Children’s Home.

• Secure Training Centre.

• Young Offenders Institution (YOI/ Prison)

YOIs and secure placement are outside Merseyside. Most young people who go to a YOI from the local Youth Court will be sent to Wetherby YOI which is in Yorkshire. If you get placed in a secure unit, you could be placed in Manchester, Yorkshire or further away. Your Youth Justice Service worker will give you advice and support about this and, if you get a DTO, they will try to get you into the most appropriate placement to meet your needs. Wherever to you go to, your worker will have regular contact with you and try to make sure you get regular contact and visits from family and carers.

It's really important to tell your YJS worker what your concerns about custody are. If you’re scared – tell you’re worker this and tell them why, if you can. Also, if you are afraid of other young people who might already be in custody, it’s important to tell your worker as these things might help to decide where you get placed if you get a DTO.

There are 2 parts to a DTO:-

1. Custody

2. Community

You usually have to do the first half of your DTO in custody. After court, a YJS worker will come and see you in the court cells and tell you where you are going. When you arrive at a YOI or secure unit, you will be helped by staff on site to settle in and your YJS worker will come to visit you within the first couple of weeks. They will also have contact with you regularly after that – at least monthly. As well as supporting you while you are in custody, they will be helping to plan for your release.

Usually around the halfway point, you will be released into the community. Sometimes, you might get released even earlier on tag if your behaviour has been good. When you get released, you’ll work with your worker on a plan to try and support you and stop you from getting into trouble. A Supervision Plan can include:-

• Supporting you with education or employment

• Positive activities

• Help with any issues such as drug, anger, learning needs or mental health

You might also be given some restrictions which you must stick to. These might include

• Places you can’t visit.

• People you can’t see (such as the victims of your crime).

• Times you have to stay at home (Tag).

If you do not follow the rules you can be sent back to custody!

On the Day of Court

When you go to court, it’s a good idea to assume the worst as otherwise, you’ll be gutted if you get a DTO. If you think you might get a DTO, these are some things which can be done to ease you first few weeks in secure or YOI. These are not obvious but they will make your life easier:

1. Firstly, phone numbers. You probably keep all your contact details on your phone. You aren’t able to have a mobile phone in prison! Write into a small address book the numbers and addresses of people who you need to stay in contact with. Family and friends are obvious, but what about your solicitor, social worker or YJS worker? Same with birthdays - write them down while you have the chance.

2. Secondly, you don’t want to be wearing expensive watches and nice rings or necklaces if you are in secure or YOI. Best to leave them at home on the day you go to court.

3. Thirdly, take some money with you when you go to court! If you get a DTO you will hand over any cash you have and this will be held in an account for you at the prison. You will be able to spend this on small necessities such as phone credits to allow you to make outside calls while in prison, and on small luxuries like decent soap or shampoo, chocolate or sweets. This could make a big difference to you and help you settle in.

4. If you take medication, bring it to court with you! The YOI or secure unit will take this from you and will arrange that you can have access to it when needed.

This page is a helpful resource for young people dealing with the youth justice system. It contains important documents that explain legal rights, support services, and educational information specifically for youth. Each document aims to empower young individuals by providing clear details about their options, rights, and procedures they might face. By promoting understanding of these issues, the page seeks to help young people make informed choices and create a more supportive environment for them.

Youth Justice Annual Plan 2024-25

YJS Children’s Plan 2024-25

If you are arrested for any offence you should always ask for a solicitor. This is free if you are under 18.  Just ask a Police Officer to call one for you.

A solicitor can give you the best advice about the offence you have been arrested for and prepare you to be interviewed.

Wirral Youth Justice Services ALWAYS advise you to have a solicitor.

If you get interviewed about an offence at the police station, there are different ways that the police can deal with you if they think you are guilty.

With some offences they will charge you and you will have to go to Court.

In some cases they can refer you to the Youth Justice Service instead of Court so that an “out of Court Disposal” can be considered.

If your offence can be dealt with as an out of court disposal, it means it doesn’t go on your “criminal record” which could help you when applying for jobs.

Some out of court disposals can only be given if you admit the offence that you are accused of.  You should discuss this with your solicitor.

If your offence is sent to the Youth Justice Service, a worker will meet you and do an assessment—this talks through what happened and about you and your life.

You must attend your appointment or your offence will go back to Police to decide what to do next, and could mean that you need to go to court.

Once you have met with your worker, they will write a report for an Out of Court Disposal Panel. Based upon the report, the panel will decide which is the right outcome.  This could be:

Outcome 22— a short intervention with the Youth Justice Service or someone else, for example a substance use service.  As long as you complete this the Police computer will show that the matter is closed.

Community Resolution—you will be offered support by the Youth Justice Service and others based on the offence and what is going on in your life.  This is only an option if you admit the offence.

Inclusion Panel— longer intervention used for more serious offences.  It lasts between 3 and 6 months and the final outcome will be either Outcome 22 or Community Resolution—meaning that the offence will not be part of your criminal record.  If you do not attend the sessions then this is sent back to the Police for charge and could mean you go to court.  This is only an option if you admit the offence.

Other options—formal criminal justice disposals

Caution—You will be given a Caution at a Police station

Youth Conditional Caution— You will be given a Caution at a Police Station and have to do 3 months of intervention.  You have to attend these sessions or it is sent back to Police and you may have to go to court.

Referral Order

What is a Referral Order?

You can get a Referral Order when you have pleaded guilty to an offence and it is your first or second appearance at court. It can last from 3-12 months. It is a special type of court order because once you have completed it, your conviction is 'spent'. This means when you apply for most jobs or courses, you don't have to declare it. The Youth Justice Service (YJS) can give you more information about when you would have to declare it, so ask them if you are unsure.

The purpose of the Referral Order is to stop you offending again in future.

Restorative Justice or RJ for short is when the young person who has committed an offence makes amends to the victim for what they have done.  You could say it is a way of saying sorry for what you have done.

Let’s pretend you have stolen someone’s car and had an accident.  At the time you probably didn’t know who the car belonged to and you were only concerned about getting caught.

Then sometime in the future you find out from your Youth Justice Worker that the car belonged to a single mum who has a disabled child and on the day you stole the car she was supposed to take her son to hospital.

This makes you feel bad for what you have done. If you are sorry, we can do something like write a letter or say sorry face to face.

There are lots of different things you can do to say sorry including:-

• Write a letter to say sorry or explain why you did it.

• Record a voice message.

• Shuttle mediation which is when your Case Manager talks to the victim for you.

• You could also meet the victim face to face.

The options are only available if you and the victim agree and it is safe for you both to do so.

You will also have to take part in Community Reparation (Community Service).

Victim awareness work to understand how crime impacts on victims will be part of all your sessions when you are working with Youth Justice.

All this may sound confusing, but your Case Manager will answer any questions you have.

Young Person’s views (Connor)

Hi My name Is Conor and I am 15 years old I was the person that the victim worker was talking about who stole the car. I was asked by my worker why I stole the car and couldn’t recall answer the question. I suppose I was trying to show off with my mates as my uncle had shown me how to steal a car and what I needed to do.

It was fun until the Police started following us and at first it was great them giving us chase but then I started to think I am getting caught for this and going to jail.

I did get caught but I was lucky they didn’t send me to jail. I went to Court and was sent to the Youth Justice Service. Some of my mates had been there so I knew a bit about it. I was given 12 month Referral Order in court order. I thought this would mean that they would just moan as me for 12 months so didn’t want to go. My mum said I had to do my appointments and she was angry and also upset that I had robbed a car so I went as didn’t want to make her more upset.

Josh my Youth Justice Worker came to the house to see me and he was actually alright. He didn’t nag or shout or judge me. He explained what his job was and explained what I would have to do over the next twelve months on my order. He said he was here to help me and told me that if I was having any problems, he could help me sort them out. He was sound. After a few weeks of meeting him he said that he wanted to talk about the victim of my crime. I really didn’t want to and to be honest hadn’t even thought about who had owned the car. I just thought that people are insured and they will get the money back from insurance. Josh explained about the situation of the lady that I had stolen the car from. I felt proper tight. My mum is a single parent and although I am not disabled, I know she needs her car for my younger brother and sister and also to do the shopping with for my nan who is old and ill.

He asked me to think about the impact I had had on the lady and her kids and when I started to think about it I felt really bad. I sat with Josh and completed a letter of apology. Josh helped me but I wanted to let the lad know that I was really sorry as I just thought that she would get the insurance money and that would be that. I didn’t think about the other stuff like getting her son to hospital or school.

Josh told me a week later that the lady appreciated the letter and what I has written and although I still felt tight, I did hope it helped her know that I was sorry for what I had done.

I am turning 18 soon.  Do I still have to come to Youth Justice Service?

Meet Becky

Hi I am Becky I am a Probation Officer and I work in Youth Justice Service.  I will explain what happens when you turn 18. When you are 17 years and 6 months old you are probably starting to think about how to celebrate your 18th birthday. Maybe you are planning a holiday or party.

Whilst you are getting ready for your 18th, the Youth Justice Service might be getting you ready to move you to the Probation Service. If you’re on certain Orders such as a Referral Order or if your Order is due to end soon after your 18th birthday, you’ll probably stay with the Youth Justice Service. If you’re on a long Court Order or a custodial sentence, you’ll probably move over to the Probation Service after you turn 18.

What is the Probation Service?

Probation is like the Youth Justice Service but for adults. The Probation Service also has an office for you to go to for appointments and you may still have home visits.  Because they work with adults, they can also help with things like employment, training and housing relevant to your age group.

If you are being transferred to the Probation Service, your Case manager will make sure that you are ready by:-

By completing the paperwork, introducing you to your new Probation Officer and making sure you understand everything and are ready. They will also support you at the start with getting to appointments.

What if I am in a secure unit or Young Offenders’ Institution when I turn 18?

If you are in custody when you turn 18, you might be able to stay in your current location or you might have to move to an adult prison. Your Youth Justice Service (YJS) worker will support you with this and, if you have to move, they will speak to the Probation Service to make sure you are supported in the new prison. When you are released, you will be supported by the Probation Service rather than the Youth Justice Service.

Facing the prosecution can be pretty scary, especially for young people. In this page your will hear from Jake, a young person who talks about what happened when he got in trouble with the police and had to go to court. He explains the rules he had to follow, like showing up on time and being respectful. Jake shares what it was like waiting in court and who was there to help him, like his solicitor. He also talks about the importance of making a good impression in court and what might happen afterward. Through Jake's experience, you will learn about the legal system and what to expect if you ever find themselves in a similar situation.

A short film on what to expect at the Youth Court

I was arrested by the police and had to go to court. This is what happened to me. (Jake)

• I had to go to court because the police thought I broke the law.

• I got bail conditions which I had to stick to. They told me I could get into more trouble if I didn’t.

• I was told what day and time to be at court. I was also told that if I didn’t attend:

• The court will ask the police to find and arrest me

• I could be charged for missing court and that I might have to stay in a police cell until the next court

• That I might not get bail in future and that the trial could start without me and I wouldn’t be able to tell your side of the story

• If you cannot attend the Court, it’s important that you inform the Court the reason why. You can do this through your solicitor before the hearing.  If you are ill on the day and don’t appear in Court, you may have to produce a sick note from a doctor.

Which Court did I go to?

I had to go to the Youth Court which is in the QE2 Court building, Derby Square in Liverpool City Centre. The Youth Court is smaller and less formal than adult Courts. If you are accused of a really serious offence, you might have to go to Crown Court.

What happened on the day of the court appearance?

First up – I got there a bit early because I was told it’s not good to be late for Court. When I arrived at court there were some security checks – I made sure I didn’t have anything on me that could be seen as a weapon (sharp objects or glass bottles). You have to come with an adult (usually a parent or carer). One of my friends came with me but he wasn’t allowed in so my mate had to wait outside for me. Looking back, it’s best not to bring friends along with you.

Once I got through security, I found a Court Usher. They were dressed in a black gown, carrying a clipboard. They told me where to wait and let the court know that I had arrived. They asked me who my solicitor was and got them to come and talk to me before going into court.

I came prepared for some waiting around as I knew there would be other young people in court on the same day as me and they might get dealt with before me. I was hoping I might get lucky and be dealt with first but I scrolled through my phone in the waiting area and tried to chill a bit while I was waiting. This helped me not to get stressed because I had to wait longer than wanted – most of the morning in fact.  Luckily, I remembered to turn off my phone before I went into the court room. It’s a good job as well because I had three missed calls when I was in there.

Who was in the courtroom?

There were two magistrates.  I was told that Magistrates are people who decide what would happen to me and they get special training to help them to deal with young people. I thought they were going to give me a lecture but they were Ok, I guess. My solicitor was there as well and a Prosecutor who talked about why the police think I broke the law. There was also Legal Advisor and an usher in court and someone from the Youth Justice Team. I was relieved that no-one from the newspapers was there as I was told that, on very rare occasions, they be in court. I got told afterwards, though that, even if they were in court, they would not be allowed to name me in the news. My mum came to court with me and I was allowed to sit next to her.

Why did I need to have a solicitor?

I didn’t really want a solicitor when I got arrested but the police said I had to have one. I’m glad I did though because my solicitor helped me prepare for Court and she spoke up for me. She told me what to do and say in Court. l did not have to pay for a solicitor – solicitors are free for young people.

If you don’t have a solicitor on the day of your court appearance, you should tell the usher that you want to speak to the duty solicitor.

What happened when I go into the Courtroom?

I was shown where to sit and told when I had to stand and sit down. I was asked to say my name, address and date of birth. At my first court appearance, I was asked to say whether I was guilty or not guilty. I was told that sometimes they can deal with your case on the day but, because my offence was more serious, they put it off until another day so that the Youth Justice Team could prepare a report. After the report got done, I had to go back to court. When I went into the court room,  the prosecutor spoke about what I had done and then my solicitor got a chance to speak up for me about things that were going on in my life which led to me getting into trouble. She also told the court some good things about my life.  After that, the magistrates asked me some questions. They asked me about school. They were alright I suppose.

How can I make a good impression?

First impressions count and if you have broken the law, the court might want to see that you understand why this wasn’t good and that you are sorry for what you did and that you want to try not to get into trouble again. Check out some of these tips:

• Dress smartly if you can.

• Make sure your phone is switched off before you go into the Court room.

• Keep your hands by your side, not in your pockets.

• Don’t chew gum.

• Take off your hood or baseball cap before you go into court.

• When speaking to the Magistrates, address them as ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’.

• If you are sorry for what you have done, tell them.

• Bring references from others if you have them (for example from a teacher, your boss at work, youth workers)

• If there is a victim of your crime, write a letter of apology and bring it with you so that the court can see that you understand the harm you have caused and that you are really sorry.

• Write a letter to the judge/magistrates telling them how sorry you are for what you did.

• Do your best to co-operate with the Youth Justice Service if the Court asks for a Pre-Sentence Report.

What might happen to me?

It depends! If you plead Not Guilty, you’ll have to have a trial and the court will decide on who they believe. If the court decides that you are Not Guilty, you are free to go.

If you are guilty, you might get a fine or you might have to meet with the Youth Justice service.

If your offence is really serious the Court might sentence you to TIME in a secure unit or Young Offenders Institution. The Court can only do this if there is no other option and they will want to know more information about you before they can make this decision so they will ask for a Pre-Sentence Report which someone from the Youth Justice Service will write. This is what happened to me. Remember - you need to cooperate with your worker to do this.

When I went to Court, I got a 9 month Referral Order.

You Have to Go to Court Leaflet

You can be given a YRO at Court.  The length can be between 3 months and 3 years.

The Court can also give you extra rules - these can be:

• Tag (electronically monitored curfew).

• Take part in sessions that will help you stop getting into trouble.

• ISS (Intensive Supervision and Surveillance).

• Places you can’t go to.

• People you can’t spend time with.

• Reparation which is unpaid work to pay back the community and more.

So What happens if you have been given a YRO?

Your Case Manager will contact you to arrange an appointment. This might be at the office or at your house. When they meet with you, they will explain:-

• What rules you have to follow.

• What work you will have to do.

• What will happen if you don’t follow the rules or do the work.

This can include being sent back to Court.

It’s also your chance to tell us what support you would like whilst you are working with us and what you think will help you stay out of trouble in future.  Things like:-

• Get in school, college or training.

• Find a job.

• Get involved in fun activities.

• Help you look at the consequences of you offending

• Help with family and relationships

If you are not sure on anything, please ask your Youth Justice Worker they are there to help you.