Youth court advocacy
Resources
There are a wide range of organisations providing criminal and youth court advocacy training. We have identified some external resources that you can use to help you address any learning and development needs you may have.
Communicating with young people
Guidance and practical tips on communicating with children and young people that have a diagnosable difficulty (PDF 8 pages, 421K). This guide has been developed and produced by Quinton Goodman and Lee Lindsley from Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service.
Advice on how to improve understanding and communication with children and young people. Produced by The Communication Trust, The Dyslexia SpLD Trust and the Autism Education Trust.
Guidance on how to engage with a young person with communication needs. Produced by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Guidance produced by Disability Matters on how to communicate with disabled children and young people involved in legal proceedings.
Helping explain process
Short videos aimed at young people about the criminal justice system. Produced by the Youth Justice legal Centre.
The Crown Prosecution Service has produced material to help teach young people between the ages of 11 and 16 about the criminal justice system.
Going to court - A booklet for children and young people who are going to be witnesses at Crown, magistrates’ or youth court
Keeping knowledge up to date
The Youth Court Bench Book (YCBB) provides guidance for magistrates who sit in the youth court dealing with defendants under the age of 18. It is used for reference at court and to support consistent training. The Youth Court Protocol may be helpful to you.
Allocation of cases in the youth court
High Court: decision to send child to Crown Court is best made after trial
Allocation guideline: Determining whether cases should be dealt with by a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court
Sentencing options
Youth Offenders
Youth crime prevention programmes
Restorative justice
Overarching Principles – Sentencing Youths
Mentally disordered defendant guidance
Mentally Disordered Offenders