The Action Plan Order was created by the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act as a way of dealing with young people between the ages of 10 and 17, who have to be dealt with by the Youth Court.

It is a community sentence which is intended to offer an early opportunity for work and/or support to help prevent further offending. The Action Plan Order lasts for three months from the date of the Order being made.

The Action Plan Order aims to prevent re-offending by ensuring that the young person complies with the requirements of an Action Plan, which will be designed to address the causes of such behaviour by requiring the young person to complete any of a number of specific tasks.

It aims to encourage the young person to take responsibility for their actions and to consider the wishes and feelings of victims of crime. It will also consider the need for 'reparation' (putting things right) to the victim(s).

Specific requirements of an Action Plan Order may include:

• Participation in activities.
• Attendance at offence focused work groups.
• Attendance at an Attendance Centre.
• Staying away from specified places.
• Monitored school attendance.
• Reparation, either to the victim of the offence or to the community as a whole.
• Attendance at a review hearing at the Youth Court.

The Court can use a combination of any of the above elements to create an Action Plan for any individual. It may also choose to impose a Parenting Order on the parents of a young person subject to an Action Plan Order.

A Responsible Officer will be appointed from the Youth Offending Team to supervise/co-ordinate the programme of work.

What will happen if the young person fails to co-operate?

At most, two warnings within the period of the Order may be given before Breach Proceedings are taken. Breach Proceedings will involve the young person being returned to Court. The Court may discharge the Order and re-sentence for the original offence.

Breach Proceedings can be taken at any stage of the Order (regardless of the length of time it has to run) and without prior warning if the failure to comply is serious, such as an attempt to avoid its completion or serious misconduct.

What do Parents/Guardians have to do?

Parents/Guardians should:

• Attend Court with the young person.
• Encourage the young person to appreciate fully the consequences of their offending behaviour.
• Ensure that the young person successfully completes the activities assigned to him/her.
• Co-operate with any Parenting Order that may be imposed.

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