Judges and sector leaders unite at the Old Bailey to tackle the criminalisation of care leavers
Judges and sector leaders have come together to discuss strategies to reduce the criminalisation of care leavers and provide better support to this vulnerable group in the justice system. The high-profile gathering at the Central Criminal Court, better known as the Old Bailey, was spearheaded by City of London Sheriffs Keith Bottomley and Robert Hughes-Penney, and focused on creating collaborative strategies between courts and agencies to better address the needs of care-experienced young people.
This initiative follows a recent review by the Ministry of Justice aimed at halting the automatic arrests of children in care who may act out or cause property damage. Instead, the ministry has pledged to prioritise trauma-informed support, a shift in approach that was welcomed by those in attendance at the summit.
A key part of the discussion centred around the Pan-London Compact for Care Leavers, a cross-sector agreement designed to enhance the support provided to care-experienced young people entering the justice system. City of London Sheriff Keith Bottomley emphasised the importance of applying the law fairly and with an understanding of the unique circumstances faced by care leavers. He said, “This wide-ranging discussion was aimed at understanding how the unique circumstances of care-experienced young people should be recognised to help prevent unnecessary criminalisation.”
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The conversation at the event also explored critical topics such as identification, information sharing, and early intervention. Participants discussed how better prevention measures, diversion strategies, and trauma-informed support can be implemented to avoid the unnecessary criminalisation of care-experienced individuals. The revised MOPAC protocol, launched last week by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), was also a focal point of the discussion. The protocol outlines practical steps for police, social workers, and carers to work together to minimise unnecessary criminalisation, advocating for a ‘child-first’ approach. This approach emphasises early intervention and diversion from prosecution, as well as offering trauma-informed support. A future revision of the protocol is expected to expand its scope to include care leavers up to the age of 25.
Helen Fentimen, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee, spoke about the barriers that care-experienced young people face in the system. “Reducing criminalisation is about giving them a fair chance to succeed and ensuring the system supports, rather than punishes, vulnerability,” she said.
The event was further enriched by contributions from the Pan London Children in Care Council and MOPAC, as well as insights from the West Midlands protocol—a regional initiative focusing on diverting care-experienced individuals from the criminal justice system. A working group coordinated by the London Innovation and Improvement Alliance will continue to bring together partners to enhance support for these young people and reduce their involvement in the justice system.
This discussion forms part of the ongoing reforms, including the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is currently before Parliament. The bill aims to extend corporate parenting duties across all government sectors, ensuring that care-experienced individuals receive the support they need to thrive.
The summit was held during Care Leavers Month, which this year has the theme ‘Rising as Me: Overcoming challenges, transforming, and finding your identity.’ Keith Bottomley, who also chairs the Partnership for Young London, stressed the importance of research and training to improve support for young people in London. He highlighted the City of London Sheriff’s role in fostering connections between the City Corporation and the judiciary at the Old Bailey while promoting the rule of law.