What We Do
Staffordshire Youth Offending Service (SYOS) operates as one of 157 Youth Offending Services across England and Wales and is an integral part of the Youth Justice System. We work to fulfill the strategic aims of the Youth Justice Board:
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to prevent offending / reoffending in Young People
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ensure the safe and effective use of custody
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increase victim / public confidence
In order to achieve the identified aims, the Service adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to working with children and young people within a broad social policy agenda such as the Every Child Matters agenda, 14-19 Transition, Safer & Stronger Communities and Children's Trust agenda including 'Narrowing the Gap'. The implementation of the Criminal Justice & Immigration Act 2008| and the introduction of the scaled (risk based) approach to working with young people assist us to respond to the themes which underpin the Youth Crime Action Plan| (enforcement & punishment, prevention and support) and to realise the aims of the Youth Justice Board.
Staffordshire Youth Offending Service works with young people, aged 10 – 17, who have offended or are at risk of offending. The Service is made up of several teams who work together to realise the aims outlined above and to promote positive outcomes for young people in Staffordshire. Our three Youth Offending Teams deliver interventions to young people who have offended. The Prevention Team engages with young people at risk of entering the Criminal Justice System. The Performance and Policy Team and Business Unit ably support our staff and Service development.
Because the Service incorporates representatives from a wide range of agencies, we can respond to the needs of young offenders in a holistic way. We identify the needs of each young offender with a nationally used assessment. This identifies the specific problems that contribute to the young person offending as well as measuring the risk they pose to others. It enables us to identify suitable programmes to address the needs of the young person with the intention of preventing further offending.
Recent Inspections by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation demonstrate the commitment of our staff to realise good outcomes for young people and to support public protection.
Our dedicated Management Team works with staff to deliver an effective service to the Courts and the young people of Staffordshire. Our management approach is underpinned by effective leadership and communication, monthly supervision and a robust PPR process.
Barbara Elks
County Manager
Staffordshire Youth Offending Service
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