The guidance clarifies where the youth justice system of England and Wales fits in with antisocial behaviour policies, since the law does not require youth offending teams to be involved when action is taken against antisocial young people.
Rod Morgan, chair of the Youth Justice Board, who has previously questioned aspects of antisocial behaviour policy (YPN, 28 April-4 May 2004, p8), said: "It is vital that teams work with other agencies so they can be involved in making decisions and can draw up plans to work positively with a young person."
The guidance, Anti-social Behaviour: A guide to the role of Youth Offending Teams in dealing with anti-social behaviour, states that youth offending teams should be fully involved in antisocial behaviour work with juveniles and have a role in supporting applications for antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs).
The guidance adds that while this work may have short-term "resource implications", long-term gains outweigh such costs.
The guidance coincided with the launch this week of ASBO Concern, a pressure group calling for a review of ASBOs. The group has been formed by a coalition of 20 organisations including the Community and Youth Workers' Union. ASBO Concern believes ASBOs are criminalising young people for non-criminal behaviour.
www.yjb.gov.uk.
