A national protocol published today by the Department for Education, Home Office and Ministry of Justice, outlines ways the prosecution of children in care and care leavers can be avoided "wherever possible and appropriate".
It commits all agencies involved in the care and welfare of looked-after children and care leavers to understand the trauma they may have faced in their lives.
The government says action is needed to tackle the over-representation of children and young people with experience of the care system within the criminal justice system - figures show that looked-after children who have been in care for at least 12 months are five times more likely to offend than all children.
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