A brief guide to referral orders

The information below explains what a referral order might involve for you and your family.

What is a referral order?

A referral order means working with your local community to change your behaviour and to repair the harm you caused by your offending. It can be between three months to 12 months long. If you are under 17 years old, your parents will probably to be part of the order also.

What does it involve?

The court will order you to attend a youth offender panel made up of two trained community volunteers and a youth justice service officer. The victim may also be there, or they may provide information about their wishes in writing or by sending someone else. At the panel you will sign a contract which will be your plan of the work you are going to be doing for the order. It will be designed to help you stay out of trouble. You might have to:

• undertake reparation to help the victim or community
• undertake work on offending behaviour

Your referral order does not start until you sign the contract. It is very important that you understand the exact details of your order. Ask your solicitor to explain it to you if you’re not sure.

You will attend regular review meetings so the panel can monitor your progress. Parents who have been ordered to participate in a referral order must attend every panel meeting.

After the panel you must:

1. attend regular appointments, at times and places set by your supervisor
2. inform your supervisor of any change of address or employment
3. co-operate with the contract

What happens next?

Your supervisor will talk to you and your family and write a report to give to the panel. This will give the panel members a better understanding of you and what areas of your life and behaviour may need addressing in your contract.

What happens if I don’t co-operate?

If this only happens one or two times your youth justice service officer is allowed to give you warning letters. If you don’t comply after that, it must be reported to the panel. You and your parent will have to attend the Panel and explain why you are not co-operating. The panel will decide whether or not you go back to court. The court can then decide to punish you or your parent.

What happens if I do co-operate?

Firstly, you will get some really useful help. You will be able to sort out your problems and have a happier life. Secondly, we will help you make up for the trouble you caused, so that you don’t have to feel bad about it forever.

The North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service is:

• made up of expert staff from children’s social care, police, probation, education and health
• working in active partnership with local agencies and communities to prevent offending by young people
• committed to rigorous National Standards for the supervision and management of young offenders in the community
• sensitive to the needs and rights of victims, and working to the code of practice for victims of crime
• committed to treating all service users with respect, fairness, honesty and dignity
• committed to fair treatment regardless of race, religion, culture, disability or sexual orientation

Where to find us

Harrogate Area Offices

Delta House

12b North Park Road

Harrogate

HG1 5PG

Oak Beck House

Woodfield Road

Harrogate

HG1 4HZ

Scarborough Area Office

Castle House 10-14

Elders Street

Scarborough

YO11 1DZ

Selby Area Office Community House (1st Floor)

Portholme Crescent

Selby

YO8 4QQ

Hambleton & Richmond Area Office

County Hall

Racecourse Lane

Romanby

Northallerton

DL7 8AD

Contact us