If a child between the ages of 10-17 years old commits an offence, the Youth Justice Service and police will decide whether the offence can be dealt with out of court. This process is also known as the ‘Bureau’.

Bureau is an opportunity to divert children away from formal criminal justice processes such as court. 

A child who has committed an offence can take part in reparative activities whilst getting support which is specific to their circumstances. A reparative activity means making things right for the victim or the community by giving something back.

In order for a child to be eligible for a Bureau disposal:

  • The police must decide that the offence is not considered too serious
  • The child must have made a full and honest admission to committing the offence and be willing to work with the Youth Justice Service. 

If the above criteria is met, a child can be put forward for Bureau. 

What happens if a child is put forward for Bureau?

The child will be contacted by a member of Youth Justice Service staff. Over the following weeks, this member of staff will work closely with the child and their parents/carers. They will get to know them so that they can complete an assessment and report.

The assessment and report will then be presented to the Bureau panel.

What is a Bureau panel?

The Bureau panel is made up of a Youth Justice Service manager, a Youth Justice Service police officer and a community volunteer.

Their role is to consider the information presented in the child’s assessment and report, but also any victim assessments too. 

The panel will discuss all information and agree on the most appropriate outcome for the child. 

Possible outcomes (out of court disposals)

The outcome options that the panel can choose include:

No further action (NFA)

This is when the panel agree that no further action is needed and the child will not need to take part in any work with the Youth Justice Service or police.

Community Resolution Plus (CR+)

This is where the Youth Justice Service work with the child on a one-to-one basis to address referral behaviours (which are the actions that the child has been referred for). 

The child may take part in reparative activities (where appropriate) to repair any harm caused as a result of their referral behaviours. 

The aim of the intervention is to help the child:

  • build on their strengths and aspirations
  • prepare for any transitions

The support programme delivered following a CR+ typically runs for up to 16 weeks and the child would work with the Youth Justice Service on a voluntary basis.

Youth Caution (YC)

This is a formal out-of-court disposal which is recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC). 

The Youth Justice Service provide a targeted programme of intervention on a one-to-one basis to address the referral behaviours. 

The support programme delivered following a YC typically runs for up to 16 weeks and the child would work with the Youth Justice Service on a voluntary basis.

Youth Conditional Caution (YCC)

This is a formal out-of-court disposal which is recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC). 

A YCC offers support which has conditions attached to it which the child must keep to. The type of conditions attached can be reparative, rehabilitative or punitive. If the child does not keep to the conditions they can be prosecuted for the original offence and sent to court. 

The interventions and conditions for a YCC typically run for up to 16 weeks. The child must work with the Youth Justice Service or the original offences may be sent to court instead.

A child can be given more than one Bureau outcome however the Youth Justice Service will consider whether this is suitable for the circumstances.

If the Bureau panel feel that the case being discussed is too serious it could go to court instead (find out about the court process). 

Once the panel have made their decision, the child will meet with the Youth Justice Service Police Officer to be given the agreed disposal. This will be given in the company of an appropriate adult (usually the child’s parent/carer). 

The Youth Justice Service aim to give the Bureau disposal the same day the panel meet and agree the outcome.