Effective responses to young offending involve recognition of needs and strengths, as well as attention to risks.
In this respect, this agenda is closely connected to Getting it right for every child, the programme which should guide and underpin the principles of work by all relevant agencies. The Getting it right for every child programme is founded on acting on the principles of early intervention, through appropriate, proportionate and timely intervention and provides a framework for putting them into action for all children and young people at the individual level.
Where the need for intervention has been identified, relevant agencies must act promptly, and in line with what other agencies are doing, to provide responses that are timely, proportionate, effective and that inspire community confidence. It is crucial that all agencies are able to provide early and effective responses based on an appropriate assessment of the individual's circumstances, not least so that children and young people can relate their actions to the impact and consequences and learn from this experience.
All agencies, including the third sector, should plan and work together in partnership with children, their families and others, to do everything possible to provide early and effective responses to problematic behaviour that best fits the circumstances of each individual case.
The Scottish Government is commited to:
- Embedding the principles and practice of Getting It Right For Every Child across our agencies
- Ensuring that all our systems are more effective in sharing information to support identification and intervention for young people at risk
- Developing evidence based around what works in early and effective intervention
- Identifying and disseminating good practice, including supporting local learning partners to develop knowledge and understanding around applying the principles and practice of Getting It Right For Every Child to young people who offend.