Support for parents of children involved in crime
If you are a parent and you believe that your child has become involved with crime, there are people who can help. If you think your child is at risk from criminals or gangs, you can get free support and advice.
Dedicated youth offending teams
Youth offending teams play an important role in dealing with youth crime. Made up of representatives from the police, social services, health and education departments and housing, these teams look at the needs of each young person caught up in crime.
Their research should reveal what drew them into crime, as well as how dangerous they are to society as a whole, and the likelihood that theyll commit more crimes.
That information helps them decide how best to help you.
They can advise that young people caught up in crime receive:
- education, training or a job
- help recovering from drug addiction
- help dealing with mental health problems
- somewhere safe to live
Youth offending teams sometimes suggest that parents of young people accused of crimes attend parenting classes. They'll do that if they think it will help parents deal with their troubled child, and protect them from crime.
Stopping youth crime before it starts
Offering one-to-one advice and support, parenting programmes can help parents develop skills for dealing with crime, drug use or similar problems suffered by their children.
If you are interested in taking a parenting class, contact your local council to find a class near you.
A government-supported programme, Sure Start helps communities and families by providing services for parents in disadvantaged areas. These services include after-school education, and day care for very young children.
The link below will help you find your nearest Sure Start centre.
Providing support and advice to young people at independent centres and at their schools, Connexions works closely with children. It helps them improve their behaviour, stay in school or find work.
You can ask at your childs school whether they are involved with Connexions, or you can use the link below to find your nearest centre.
- A to Z of local councils
Getting free legal advice
If your child might be charged with a crime, or if your child already has been charged and now must go to court, it's important to talk to someone who can offer good legal advice.
The Children's Legal Centre offers free legal help on a wide range of issues. Call their helpline on 0845 120 2948 (open from 09.00 am to 5.00 pm daily).
You can also get free legal advice and information from Community Legal Advice. It offers confidential advice paid for by Legal Aid.
You can find more information about Community Legal Advice by calling them on 0845 608 1122.Or you can follow the link below.
More useful information
- Gangs and gang crime: advice for parents
- Preventing and dealing with involvement in gangs
This content is subject to Crown Copyright
- Source:
- DirectGov
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