Major youth justice crackdown could see parents face more accountability for a child’s crimes

Under new proposals for the youth justice system, parents and guardians could face greater liability for their children breaking the law.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister David Lammy is leading a major overhaul outlined in the new Youth Justice White Paper published on Monday.

The reforms aim to deter young people from a life of crime by placing greater responsibility on parents and carers whose children commit crimes or engage in anti-social behaviour.

A key element of the plan involves strengthening parenting instructions. These legal documents currently allow parents to be empowered to counsel or guide their children to address their behavior or otherwise face financial penalties.

The Department of Justice highlighted a dramatic decline in the use of these orders; The number fell from over a thousand in 2009/10 to just 33 in the last financial year (2022/23).

The move to strengthen parental orders follows an investigation into stabbings in Southport and could result in parents whose children break the law being jailed, according to the Telegraph newspaper.

As well as giving parents a greater role, Mr Lammy also plans to pilot new youth intervention courts that will bring together judges and support services to tackle the issues that drive young people into crime.

Courts will also supervise young offenders and provide them with specialized health and educational interventions to help them avoid a life of crime.

Mr Lammy said: “Too many young people are drawn into crime, with devastating consequences for victims, their communities and their own futures.

“These reforms lay the foundation for intervening much earlier, supporting families and tackling the factors that lead to crime, so fewer young people are trapped in the cycle of crime, creating safer streets and fewer victims.”

Elsewhere in the plans championed by Mr Lammy, there are proposals to invest £15.4 million a year in a scheme to help 12,000 children at risk of entering the youth justice system over the next three years.

The White Paper could also bring an end to people having to disclose criminal convictions they have received throughout their lives, from childhood onwards.

Crimes committed in childhood limit some people’s life chances even into their 60s.

Mr Lammy plans to launch a consultation on childhood criminal records that could end the lifetime disclosure requirement.

Justice Minister Jake Richards said: “Simply put, the youth justice system is not working for children, victims and communities damaged by crime.

“These reforms will modernize the system, adapt to emerging risks and improve the lives of young offenders by ensuring they get the support they need, while improving public safety.”

Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: “As Children’s Commissioner, I have always been clear about the need to reform the youth justice system. We must create an approach that keeps children safe, steers them away from crime wherever possible and prioritizes meaningful behavior change.

“Education is at the heart of this. It is the most powerful tool we have to prevent crime in the first place and remains vital for those who have already fallen through the cracks in Young Offenders Institutions (YOIs).

“That is why I welcome the Youth Justice White Paper published today and have been asked to review the education children in YOIs receive to improve outcomes and give these children a better chance for the future.”

Meanwhile, the Conservatives are casting doubt on the Government’s ability to reform youth justice.

Nick Timothy, the shadow justice secretary, said: “No matter what Labor says today, they have already shown that it is not in their DNA to be tough on crime.

“They have allowed the early release of thousands of prisoners and abolished short sentences, so many of the knife crime perpetrators sent to prison in the last few years will avoid prison sentences in the future.

“This shows that the problem with this government is Labour, not Starmer. This country needs a strong Conservative government that will support our police, lock up criminals and prevent crime.”