The idea had previously been mooted in a draft document on child-friendly justice compiled by the Council of Europe, receiving the backing of the Magistrates' Association at the time.
Lorna Hadley, chair of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers, said the exploration of the idea is welcome. "I work with many young people who say they have been blighted by their criminal record," she said.
"It is quite a major issue. There have been young people refused entry at college because of a conviction. It can be a barrier to young people trying to achieve."
The green paper states that the government is taking a fundamental look at the objectives of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and how it can be reformed.
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