Understanding the circumstances of children involved in breach proceedings

This project will investigate the extent to which being a vulnerable child increases the likelihood of ‘breaching’ the requirements set out by the criminal courts.

Why this project is important

Despite efforts to divert children from the formal youth justice system, findings indicate that vulnerable children, particularly from deprived areas, are over-represented in court. Between April 2013 and March 2022 there were 21,953 proven Breaches of Statutory Order offences by children across England and Wales.

There is little information about the needs and circumstances of the children subject to breach proceedings. What little research has been conducted suggests that the children who have the most difficulty complying with the conditions are not the most serious offenders but those who offend persistently, and there is a strong association with disadvantages and vulnerability.

What will it involve?

The research team aim to address this gap and have formulated three main objectives:

1. Ascertain the prevalence of breach proceedings and convictions for breaches of criminal justice orders within the youth justice system. Including how it has changed over time; differences by age, sex, ethnicity, and neighbourhood deprivation; and the extent to which children return to court following breach proceedings.
2. Identify if there are local, regional, and national variations in rates which may be indicative of different cultures and practices with respect to breaching and use of youth custody.
3. Explore the extent to which being a vulnerable child in Wales increases the likelihood of being breached.

Using accepted measures of vulnerability, key predictors of breaches will be identified and interventions developed to reduce their occurrence. The research will compare data across courts in England and Wales, and link court data about Welsh children to their education, social service, and health information.

How it will make a difference

Completion of the research will provide opportunities for policy and practice to be adapted to better support the child as they travel through the youth justice system and reduce the likelihood of further justice involvement.

Findings will be disseminated to key stakeholders at the Ministry of Justice, Youth Justice Board, Sentencing Council, and relevant sections of the Welsh Government.