Referral Order
A Referral Order is given to a young person who pleads guilty to an offence when it is his/her first time in court.
The only exceptions are if the offence is so serious that the court decides a custodial sentence (Detention and Training Order or Section 90/91) is absolutely necessary, or the offence is relatively minor (i.e. a 'non-imprisonable' offence such as a traffic offence or fare evasion), in which case an alternative such as a fine or an absolute discharge may be given.
When a young person is given a Referral Order, he/she is required to attend a Youth Offender Panel, which is made up of two volunteers from the local community and panel adviser from a Youth Offending Team (Yot). The panel, together with the young person, their parents/carers and the victim (where appropriate), agree a contract lasting between three and 12 months. The aim of the contract is to repair the harm caused by the offence and address the causes of the offending behaviour.
The conviction is ‘spent’ once the contract has been successfully completed. This means that in most circumstances the offence will not have to be disclosed by the young person when applying for work.
Action Plan Orders
An Action Plan Order is an intensive, community-based programme lasting 3 months. The order is supervised by Leeds YOS. The programme developed by Leeds YOS based on an assessment of the young person is specifically tailored to their risks and needs. It can include repairing the harm done to the victim of the offence or the community, education and training, attending an Attendance Centre or a variety of other programmes to address a young person's offending behaviour.
Reparation Orders
Reparation Orders are designed to help young offenders understand the consequences of their offending and take responsibility for their behaviour. They require the young person to repair the harm caused by their offence either directly to the victim (this can involve victim/offender mediation if both parties agree) or indirectly to the community. Examples of this might be cleaning up graffiti or undertaking community work.
Supervision Order
A Supervision Order can last up to three years. A range of conditions can be attached to a Supervision Order when the sentence is used for more serious offences. These are called 'specified activities' and can last for up to 90 days. Examples of 'specified activities' might be participation in an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP), drug treatment (for young people aged 16+), curfews or residence requirements which might require a young person to live in local authority accommodation for the period of the sentence
A young person receiving a Supervision Order is also required to take part in activities set by Leeds YOS which could include repairing the harm done by their offence either to the victim or the community and programmes to address their offending behaviour such as anger management.
Community Punishment Orders / Community Rehabilitation Orders
This sentence is only available to courts for young people aged 16-17. It requires a young person to complete unpaid community work for a period of 40-240 hours.
They are supervised by Leeds YOS and can include activities such as repairing the harm caused by their offence, programmes to address offending behaviour or an Intensive Supervision & Surveillance Programme (ISSP).