They are not sentences that can normally be given for a first offence. Both sentences are supervised by the Youth Offending Service, who will allocate an officer to work with the young person to supervise the order and make sure the terms of it are carried out.

Action Plan Orders are three months long. They include a minimum requirement for the young person to meet their supervising officer at least twice a week, to work with them on addressing the causes of their offending behaviour. They may also include an element of community work or reparation to the victim.

Supervision Orders can be made for up to three years.  Like Action Plan Orders, they are supervised by a YOS officer. They can have a number of conditions and specified activities attached. See the Youth Justice Board web site (link on the left) for further details.