The future of youth justice

What is the future for youth justice in England and Wales? In a current climate of divergence, normlessness and local variations, we explore reform recommendations and the impact of economic austerity on local Youth Offending Teams: a retraction of support/services, yet increasing oversight by non-specialist managers. Four emerging youth justice delivery structures are identified, followed by an assessment of what does not work in practice – punishment, system contact, treatment and offender-focused interventions. We conclude that ‘what might work’ to progress youth justice is expert analysis, specialist youth workers and Children First principles in a coherent, flexible national policy context.