The staff, who normally offer advice on learning, careers and housing under the Connexions Direct banner, will act as Rizer representatives and provide one-to-one legal advice as part of a seamless service. Based in their normal office, Connexions staff will receive Rizer calls on a separate phone line.
The 1.1m helpline will be launched on 13 May at the same time as the Rizer web site, which will also offer young people support via text messaging and email.
The site has been developed in association with the Galleries of Justice Museum, a voluntary organisation in Nottingham that educates young people about social exclusion.
Peter Armstrong, chief executive of the Galleries of Justice, said that non-appearances by young offenders in the Nottingham region alone account for 40 per cent of all adjournments.
"Poor understanding of how the criminal justice system works is common among young offenders," said Armstrong.
Funding is from the Government's Invest to Save and Criminal Justice IT budgets.
- www.rizer.co.uk www.galleriesofjustice.org.uk.
