A young person, 17, from Bristol had his Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) cancelled thanks to exceptionally improved behaviour.
This is only the second time in the country that this has happened thanks to the use of an Individual Support Order (ISO) to help him get his life back on track.
The YJB is advocating that, where appropriate, young people subject to ASBOs should be offered support through an ISO, not only to help prevent a breach but to also reduce the chances of future offending.
An ISO is put into place to ensure that a young person has the right mix of education, positive activities and reparation work to help them stand the best possible chance of completing their ASBO successfully and to reduce their chances of being involved in crime or antisocial behaviour.
The young person’s order was delivered with support from Bristol City Council youth offending team (YOT), Barton Hill Youth Inclusion Project, the Prince’s Trust and construction company Carillion PLC.
With this support, the young person carried out a bricklaying course and achieved level 1 and 2 qualifications and is now working as an apprentice.
John Drew, chief executive of the YJB, said:
“We would like to see an increase in the use of ISOs, and YOTs, with their position across prevention programmes and the courts, are in a great place to encourage their use.
“This fantastic story is a wonderful example of the positive effects that can happen to young people, their families and communities when this support is in place.”
Cancelling the ASBO this month Judge Cooper from Bristol Magistrates’ Court said:
“I discharge this ASBO with great pleasure and hope that others will learn from this.
“This is a great success story which proves that people can change and that we must work together to give them the support to do so,”
Linda Oliver, youth justice support worker at Bristol YOT, said:
“We use these orders for younger people with ASBOs to get them back on track and this worked very well with this young person.
“He has now recognised his behaviour was wrong and is working hard at his apprenticeship. We are delighted at his success.”
The young person said:
“It’s really nice to be earning money and I enjoy bricklaying. I think I needed the help to make me change and I am glad I have had the chance to start again”.
Ends
Notes to editors
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The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales. We work to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18, and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure, and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour.
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Specifically, we advise the Secretaries of State for Justice and for Children, Schools and Families on the operation of, and standards for, the youth justice system; monitor the performance of the youth justice system; purchase places for, and place, children and young people remanded or sentenced to custody; identify and promote effective practice; make grants to local authorities or other bodies to support the development of effective practice; commission research and publish information.
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ISOs are court orders only available for 10-17 year olds which can be attached to 'stand alone' ASBOs and impose positive conditions on the young person to address the underlying causes of the behaviour that led to the ASBO. An ISO may last up to six months and can require a young person to attend up to two sessions a week under the supervision of the youth offending team (YOT). Breach of an ISO is a criminal offence which may be punished by way of a financial penalty. To find out more please visit www.yjb.gov.uk
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