Support groups for children, young people and families

If you are a parent and you believe that your child has become involved with crime, there are people who can help. If you think your child is at risk from criminals or gangs, you can get free support and advice.

Dedicated youth offending teams

Youth offending teams play an important role in dealing with youth crime. Made up of representatives from the police, social services, health and education departments and housing, these teams look at the needs of each young person caught up in crime.

Their research should reveal what drew them into crime, as well as how dangerous they are to society as a whole, and the likelihood that they’ll commit more crimes. That information helps them decide how best to help you. They can advise that young people caught up in crime receive:

Youth offending teams sometimes suggest that parents of young people accused of crimes attend parenting classes. They'll do that if they think it will help parents deal with their troubled child, and protect them from crime.

Stopping youth crime before it starts

Parenting programmes

Offering one-to-one advice and support, parenting programmes can help parents develop skills for dealing with crime, drug use or similar problems suffered by their children.

Sure Start

A government-supported programme, Sure Start helps communities and families by providing services for parents in disadvantaged areas. These services include after-school education, and day care for very young children.

Connexions

Providing support and advice to young people at independent centres and at their schools, Kent Connexions works closely with children. It helps them improve their behaviour, stay in school or find work. You can ask at your child’s school whether they are involved with Connexions.