Risk management of young offenders must balance public protection with recognition of children's needs, according to a new book.
It calls for a review of the current approach to risk assessment by agencies including the Youth Justice Board, arguing that there is not enough focus on safeguarding children.
Practice and policy must be underpinned by evidence rather than "being pushed down politically imposed routes," according to the book Young People and Risk, published by Policy Press.
Enver Solomon, deputy director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College, London, one of the book's editors, said existing risk management systems were designed for adults and were "unsuitable and wholly inappropriate" for children and young people.
The book was produced in collaboration with the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and the Oxford Centre for Criminological Studies.
More information
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies
Essential information about Youth Justice
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Government Legislation
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Private Member Bills
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Details of government consultations
11 July 2008
