Swindon Youth Justice Service
Swindon Youth Justice Service works to:
- adopt evidence-based approaches, including Child First practice, trauma-informed methods, identity development and whole-family strategies
- divert children from the youth justice system where appropriate
- prevent offending and reoffending
- reduce the use of custody
- safeguard children and protect the public through multi-agency collaboration
Partnership approach
The service collaborates with key partners to deliver effective support and create safer communities, including:
- Children’s services
- Community safety
- Education
- Health services
- Police
- Probation
- Voluntary and private sector providers
Together, these partnerships strengthen support for children, families and victims of youth crime.
Who we work with
Swindon Youth Justice Service supports:
- children and families affected by crime
- children arrested by the Police or charged with offences
- children sentenced by the courts
- victims of youth crime
The service focuses on keeping children and the community safe, improving outcomes and helping young people build positive futures.
Practice model
The service follows a Child First and identity-focused approach by:
- engaging children and carers in meaningful collaboration
- minimising justice system involvement through prevention, diversion and minimal intervention
- prioritising children’s best interests, rights and potential
- promoting children’s strengths to develop pro-social identities and achieve sustainable desistance (reducing or stopping criminal activity)
Strategic priorities for 2024-25
Swindon Youth Justice Service is committed to achieving the following goals to improve outcomes for children, families and communities by:
- addressing disproportionality, particularly for children from black and mixed-ethnicity backgrounds
- becoming a Centre of Excellence for Child First practice by March 2025
- developing a dedicated participation strategy
- increasing participation and collaboration, with a focus on identity development
- lowering reoffending rates and custodial use, including Police custody and remands
- reducing first-time entrants to the youth justice system
- supporting victims of youth crime
- tackling youth violence and contributing to the Wiltshire serious violence strategy
Cross-cutting themes
The service also prioritises:
- improving emotional and mental health
- in collaboration with education and public health services
- reducing the number of children not in education, employment, or training
- a shared priority with education partners
For more details, view the Strategic Plan 2024-25 and the Child First overview and guide (PDF).
Further information
- Address: Swindon Youth Justice Service, Clarence House, Euclid Street, Swindon SN1 2JH
- Phone: 01793 464662
- Email: YOTeam@swindon.gov.uk