Who helps?
A resettlement worker from the Youth Offending Service works with the young person and their family. They start helping while the young person is still in custody and continue after they come home.
What help is given?
The resettlement worker helps with things like:
- Finding a safe place to live
- Getting into school, college or work
- Staying healthy and feeling okay
- Managing money
- Keeping in touch with family
- Making good choices for the future
- Getting help with drugs or alcohol (if needed)
They also work with other experts if more help is needed.
What happens while in custody?
The resettlement worker visits the young person and goes to meetings to check how things are going. They also talk to the family and help them stay in touch.
What happens after release?
The worker keeps meeting with the young person to make sure they’re doing well. They help them stay out of trouble and avoid going back to custody.
Special programme: Real Time
We run a group course called Real Time. It helps young people understand what prison is really like. It includes:
- Group sessions
- A visit to a real prison
- Stories from people who have been in prison
- Help to make better choices
What young people say
“The programme gave me an insight into prison life. I would tell other young people it’s not worth going to prison”
“The course has shown me what prison is really like. I don’t want to go there”
“I don’t want to go to prison. Locked up in a small cell and I can’t do what I want”