Youth offending team managers welcome plans to wipe clean young offenders' criminal records

The "possible approach", outlined in the green paper Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders, could mean offences being erased from records for all but the most serious offences.

The idea had previously been mooted in a draft document on child-friendly justice compiled by the Council of Europe, receiving the backing of the Magistrates' Association at the time.

Lorna Hadley, chair of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers, said the exploration of the idea is welcome. "I work with many young people who say they have been blighted by their criminal record," she said.

"It is quite a major issue. There have been young people refused entry at college because of a conviction. It can be a barrier to young people trying to achieve."

The green paper states that the government is taking a fundamental look at the objectives of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and how it can be reformed.

"We would welcome views on how we can do more for young offenders as we are aware that some people are, for example, finding their path to higher education blocked on the basis of juvenile convictions," the paper states.