Highland Youth Action Service Success

The Highland Council’s Youth Action Service has made a major impact on reducing the numbers of persistent young offenders - young people who have five offending episodes within a six month period.

The Scottish Executive challenged all local authorities to make a significant contribution to reducing the numbers of persistent young offenders by March 2006 and to reduce the numbers by at least 10%.

Figures recently released by the Scottish Children’s Reporter’s Administration show that in Highland there has been a 30% reduction in the numbers of persistent offenders (one of the best improvements in the country). These young people are often the most troubled and troublesome within their communities.

Joyce Gartshore, Youth Justice Resource Manager, believes the success of the Youth Action Service in achieving and exceeding the target has been due to better targeting of resources coupled with an investment in staff training, leading to an improvement in the quality of work undertaken with young people.

She said: “We know that in order for young people to make changes in their lives they need to recognise the effects of their behaviour on themselves their families and their communities. The programmes we offer tackle the thinking and behaviour of the young people who offend and encourage them to make positive lifestyle changes.

“The Youth Action teams also offer a variety of group work interventions for young people and have positive links with Careers Scotland, schools and local colleges to encourage young people to look towards gaining employment, or going on to further education.

“Parents are also benefiting from attending our parenting programmes designed to help parents meet the challenges that dealing with a teenager can bring.”

Joyce Gartshore can be contacted on 01463 256603