Cheshire West, Halton & Warrington Youth Offending Team (YOS)

There is a Youth Offending Service (YOS) serving every local authority in England and Wales. Cheshire West, Halton and Warrington Youth Offending Service provide youth justice services to the boroughs of Cheshire West, Halton and Warrington for young people aged 10 to 17. Each YOS is made up of representatives from the Police, Probation Service, Children’s Social Care, Health, Education and other relevant specialist services such as substance misuse, mental health, accommodation etc.

As YOS incorporates representatives from a wide range of services, it can respond to the needs of young offenders in a comprehensive way. The YOS assesses the needs of each young offender using a national assessment tool to identify the specific problems that make the young person offend, measures the risk they pose to others as well as their vulnerability. YOS will also manage Court Orders issued. The young person will be required to attend regular meetings with their supervising officer which will focus on their offending and factors that may reduce the likelihood of the young person reoffending. Referrals to other agencies will be made where appropriate.

In addition, the YOS will seek to assist the victims of young offenders in efforts to repair the harm caused. This process is also known as Restorative Justice and may involve an activity or direct action from the young person to the victim. On occasion it is possible and desirable that the offender meets the victim and makes a personal and direct apology for the harm caused.