When a young person pleads guilty to their first criminal offense, they usually receive a Referral Order, except when the court decides not to provide any order or sentences (an absolute discharge) or decides that the crime was serious enough to give a custodial sentence.

Referral Orders

A referral order lasts 3 to 12 months as set by the court. 

A Youth Justice officer makes an assessment to work out why the crime happened, issues that might need to be addresses and the young person's strengths and goals. They talk to other professionals and make a report for the initial panel meeting.

Panel and contract

The young person, their carer, the Youth Justice officer and two community volunteers make a group called a panel. The panel talks through the offence and the reasons behind it. They make a contract that aims to reduce the possibility of another offence and might include activities that repair the harm to the victims. The referral order doesn't start until the contract is agreed.

Progress meetings occur every three months, with a final meeting at the end.

The young person must attend all appointments and follow behaviour rules. If they do not, the panel might recommend a return to court, which in turn might end the order and decide on a new sentence. 

Other service members (such as social workers, health workers, psychologists) may meet the young person as needed. Parents can seek advice from a parenting worker within the Youth Justice service.

Victim's involvement

A Restorative Justice worker may work with a victim of a crime to see if they want to be involved in this process. This may involve a meeting with the young person or the panel, or a written account of the harm done to them that is read at the panel. This involvement is completely voluntary.

Criminal record

If the young person completes the referral order successfully, the conviction is 'spent'. This means that, for most jobs, the young person doesn't have to declare the crime. However, some jobs will still expect a full disclosure of any involvement in crime, including spent referral orders.

Extending the order

If the young person commits another offence while they are under a referral order, it can be extended once, but can't last more than 12 months in total.

If a new offence happens after the order is completed, different sentences might be considered - including a Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO). 

Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO)

A YRO is a community sentence for re-offending, lasting from 3 months to 3 years. The Youth Justice Service usually has to give a pre-sentence report on the offender before a YRO can be used as a sentence.