Youth Courts Solutions project based in Wellingborough looking to tackle trauma in youth offenders

Northamptonshire’s youth reoffending rate is almost two-thirds less than the national average, according to figures shared by North Northamptonshire Council.

It comes as the county’s flagship trauma-based intervention project has helped more young offenders than ever before.

Local charity ‘Crysalys Foundation’ launched the Youth Court Solutions project in 2021 - the first of its kind in the UK to work on tackling youth reoffending by exploring the relationship with traumatised children ending up in the justice system.

The project has had an overall impact on the in-county youth reoffending rate, now at 13 per cent.

The latest statistics for reoffending rates across the UK paint a different picture, suggesting that 31 per cent of young people will reoffend.

Youth reoffending statistics for 2019 – 2020, before the project was launched, show that Northamptonshire had a similar rate to the national average - 30 per cent and 34 per cent respectively.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, development manager at the Crysalys Foundation, Jane Deamer, said she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the success of the service.

She said: “We know that trauma impacts on the criminal justice system in many many respects.

"Young people who are significantly traumatised at an early point in their life are overrepresented [in youth courts].

“This is a real opportunity not only for the welfare of the young people who are diverted away from offending again and for the future impacts on their life but, also, the public costs associated with the criminal justice system and potential savings."

The specialist support service is based at Wellingborough Magistrates Court and offers intervention for defendants, victims, witnesses, family and friends who attend court.

It aims to reach both children and adults involved in youth court cases, giving ‘multi-generational’ support to those involved.

According to Crysalys, the number of people using the voluntary programme more than doubled within just two years of operation.

The charity is now exploring expanding the model to move into other areas and developing a new adult court solutions service within Northamptonshire.

Ms Deamer said: “Their approaches to us and their engagement with the services we offer sends a real message to us that they do want help and they’re looking for support.

“Tackling trauma within the criminal justice system is a key element in ensuring that we’ve got a healthier happier community for everybody.”