Young offenders must have the chance to turn their lives around

This month our cover feature explores where social work and children's services should come in. It's clear the vast majority of children and young people who commit crimes come from difficult family backgrounds with a worrying proportion of offenders having come through the care system. No matter what they have done, young offenders need the support of professionals, including qualified social workers, to ensure all their problems are addressed and they get the education and other help they need to make a positive contribution to society. As our feature points out, funding cuts and impending changes in youth justice policy risk social services becoming further distanced from these vulnerable young people. But the changes could also offer an opportunity to ensure a stronger focus on young offenders' welfare with children's services at the centre.