Youth offending teams are being sidelined in decisions about giving young people anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos).
A study published by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) last week revealedseven out of 10 teams examined had little or no involvement in thedecisions.
But Bob Ashford, head of prevention at the YJB, said there had beenmajor changes in the role of youth offending teams since the study wasconducted last year. "Since then, the board has made significant effortsto improve joint working on anti-social behaviour," he said.
The study, the first independent evaluation of Asbos since theirintroduction in 1999, also said they are widely seen as "badges ofhonour" by offending teenagers and their parents.
- www.yjb.gov.uk.
