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Youth Justice Team

Merton’s Youth Justice Team aims to prevent youth reoffending in Merton through multi-agency partnership working. It incorporates representatives from a wide range of services (Police, Probation, Social Care, Health, Education and Voluntary Organisations), which allows it to respond to the needs of young people who are involved in the criminal justice system.

The team is part of the Family and Adolescent Service, which works with families as well as young people directly. We work closely with agencies such as the SEN (Special Educational Needs) Team, Health Services and Social Care to support children and young people with SEN who are subject to a community youth court order or detained in youth custody.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Youth Offending Team
Contact Position
Team Manager
Telephone
020 8274 4949
E-mail
grpmerton-yos@merton.gov.uk.cjsm.net
Notes

Young people in custody and/or an appropriate person such as their parent has the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal and access mediation services if they disagree with decisions regarding statutory assessments for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the content of an EHCP or decision to cease an EHCP. Please see the SEND Code of Practice 2015 chapter 10.

Parent Organisation

Location

Name
2nd Floor Annexe
Address
London Borough Of Merton, Merton Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
Postcode
SM4 5DX

Time / Date Details

When is it on
9.00am to 5.00pm
Session Information
Monday to Friday

Other Details

Local Offer

Description

Home Local Authorities have the responsibility for meeting assessed needs of young people who may have special educational needs who are in custody. Statutory duties relating to children and young people with SEN who are in youth custody can be found in the SEN Code of Practice 2015.

This applies to children or young people in young offender institutions, in secure training centres, or those voluntarily detained in secure children’s homes.

Agencies work together to ensure that appropriate SEN provision is delivered whilst a young person is in custody and that it is reviewed upon release. Merton’s Youth Justice Team is responsible for sharing a young person’s EHCP with the custodial case manager and others who are involved in delivering the young person’s education and preparing them for adulthood, including NHS and social care services.

In the majority of cases, once a young person turns 18, their case would be transferred to a provider of Probation Services (either the National Probation Service or a Community Rehabilitation Company).  The obligation to retain an EHCP or assess a young person for an EHCP ceases once the case transfers from the Youth Offending Team (YOT) to an adult service although a young person may request a new assessment for an EHCP after their release up to age 25.  Providers of Probation Services will also refer to local agencies such as adult social care if the young person requires additional support in regards to learning needs.

Young people sentenced to a community order will also be provided with support if they have SEN including those with or eligible for an EHCP.

Last updated: 21/10/2019
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