Referral Order Panels

• What is a Youth Offender Panel?
• Preparing for the Panel
• The Panel Meeting
• The Contract
• The Future

The Contract

After talking with the panel a programme of activities will be put together in the form of a contract. The main aim is to address the offending and to prevent re-offending. Written in the contract could be things like these:

• a verbal apology;
• a letter of apology to the victim;
• the return of goods or practical work in the community;
• a requirement to stay at home at specific times;
• or to attend training or drugs rehabilitation.

Once the programme of activity is agreed the young person and a panel member must sign a written record. The young person will be given a copy of the contract.

If the young person and their parent/carer fails to attend the panel or do not comply with the contract (unless there are reasonable grounds) the young offender would be referred back to the Court to consider re-sentencing. During the length of the contract the young person will be carefully monitored, they will be required to return back to the panel at least once during the Order to discuss his/her progress or any significant changes.