We can work with you in a supportive, non-judgemental way to give you the best chance to avoid offending. We’ll do everything we can to help you change direction.
We can support you if you:
- have a history of or current offending behaviour
- are at risk of falling into offending behaviour
- are at risk of criminal exploitation
It's important for you to know that, if you decide to share information with us about a serious crime, we must ask you to declare it to the police yourself. If you do not, we must legally tell them ourselves.
- If you need to find a lawyer, you can search on the Law Society website.
- If you want to speak to the police, and it's not an emergency, you can call 101.
Luton Youth Justice Service
The Youth Justice Service can help you if you’re involved in offending. They want to support you and to reduce youth crime.
They can work with you until the age of 18. If they've worked with you in the past, they can continue to provide you with advice and support beyond 18.
They're made up of police, the National Probation Service, health authorities and other local organisations. They work with people who support you, like the Leaving and After Care teams or Children in Care Service.
Probation Service
If you're over 18, you may be known to probation. This means you’re serving your sentence but you’re not in prison.
You could be put on probation because:
- you’re serving a community sentence
- you've been released from prison on licence or on parole
While on probation, you may have to:
- do unpaid work
- complete an education or training course
- get treatment for addictions, like drugs or alcohol
- have regular meetings with an ‘offender manager’
Young people in custody
As your corporate parent, we understand that being in custody can present significant challenges. It's your right and our duty to ensure you receive support during this time and after your release.
We're committed to being a constant source of assistance throughout your journey.
We're ambitious for you and want you to leave custody either with an academic qualification or a trade qualification, where possible. This will be discussed as part of your pathway plan.
Our commitment to you
- We'll do our best to provide essential items, including proper clothing and items related to your faith, beliefs and physical care.
- You'll receive £10 weekly while in custody.
- Before release, you may be eligible for a clothing allowance to buy clothes, based on your needs.
Your pathway plan
- We'll work with you to develop and maintain a pathway plan that reflects your needs and goals.
- This plan should have been in place before custody, but it will be reviewed at least every six months with your input.
- Close to your release, we'll review the plan again as part of your pre-release meeting to ensure the best possible support for your future ambitions.
Your personal adviser (PA)
- Your PA will visit you at least every 8 weeks - more often if possible, if this is something you need.
- Your PA will attend meetings with you and make sure you understand the Local Offer, which explains your rights and entitlements, both in custody and in the community.
Key responsibilities
- PA: maintain regular contact (at least every 8 weeks), update your pathway plan and advocate for your needs.
- Advocacy and voice: ensure you have a say in decisions affecting you.
- Pathway plan: include clear plans for custody and resettlement.
- Preparation for release: support with accommodation, education, employment, and health services.
Additional support
- Independent reviewing officer (IRO): Luton has an IRO for care leavers who'll support vulnerable young people in custody until age 25. They'll:
- monitor the quality of care you receive
- advocate for appropriate support
- ensure everything is in place for your release
- Resettlement planning: your PA will work with you and other professionals to create a clear housing and support plan for your release. This includes:
- prison offender manager
- Probation Service
- Care Leavers Service
- Housing department
- We'll make sure there's a clear plan for where you will live and what support you'll need after custody.
Supporting you upon release
We'll aim to increase contact leading up to and after your release. Support may include:
- meeting you at the prison on your day of release and taking you to your accommodation (if requested and appropriate)
- helping with:
- accommodation arrangements
- education/training
- health services
- employment
- ensuring your voice is heard in all decisions affecting you
- regular communication between you and your probation officer to make sure you receive all necessary support
- incorporating your community sentence plan into your pathway plan
You can also visit On the Out for advice and support on rebuilding your life after prison.
Separated migrant young people in custody
We recognize additional vulnerabilities for care-experienced foreign nationals. Our approach includes:
- incorporating nationality and immigration needs into all care and pathway plans
- developing a triple pathway plan, outlining support if permission to remain is granted
- while claims are processed
- if appeals are exhausted
- providing clear advice on immigration processes and signposting to legal support
- training social care professionals to identify immigration issues and ensuring human rights assessments before withdrawing support
- remaining mindful of risks related to modern slavery and ensuring staff are trained in the national referral mechanism
Virtual School offer
For care leavers aged 18 and over in custody:
- access to careers services
- support for pathway plans
- advice from PAs
- PEP meetings will continue as for other young people in care until the end of year 13 (with your consent after age 18)