CYP Now - Resources: Review - A look at crimes in the care system

Magistrates have to be sentencers not social workers, but I found that after reading this book, which is written in a clear and refreshing style, that youth court magistrates need to be increasingly aware of welfare issues.

Taylor's book identifies current policy and research, although she alsoconfirms that it is severely limited in a number of areas. The chapteron exploring the residential care experiences is so typical of what wesee in court, I could almost see the examples in front of me. Itconfirms that youngsters often come into court charged with offenceswithin the care home, but with no previous convictions.

Children in care also continually identify that staff continuity isimportant.

However, an eminent inspector recently said we let staff with inadequatequalifications and little training look after the most vulnerablemembers of our society. This part of the book I found particularly wellwritten with sad and moving excerpts from young people; clearly Taylorhas empathy for their experiences.

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