Cambridgeshire Youth Justice Service
The Cambridgeshire Youth Justice Service (YJS) supports young people who have got into trouble with the law or are at risk of offending.
Their role is to help you make positive choices, achieve your goals and move forward with your life.
The YJS can work with you until you are 18 years old. If you have worked with the service before, they may still be able to offer advice and support as you move into adulthood.
The service includes the police, health services and other local organisations. They work closely with your Personal Adviser, Leaving Care Team and other professionals who support you.
If you are a care leaver, your Personal Adviser and the YJS will work together to make sure your needs, goals and future plans are reflected in your Pathway Plan.
Find out more about the Youth Justice Service: Youth Offending Service | Cambridgeshire County Council
Attending court
Going to court can feel stressful or worrying.
Your Personal Adviser can support you by:
- helping you understand what will happen at court
- answering your questions
- helping you prepare for court
- attending court with you where appropriate
- making sure your views are heard
If you are in custody
Being in custody should not stop you getting support.
If you are in a Young Offender Institution, Secure Training Centre or prison, your Personal Adviser will stay in touch and visit you regularly.
Your Personal Adviser will:
- help you review and update your Pathway Plan
- help you think about your goals and future plans
- support you to access education, training and employment opportunities
- help you stay safe
- support you to develop skills for independent living
- help you prepare for release
- identify any housing, money, health or wellbeing support you may need
- help you stay connected to people who are important to you
- help you build positive relationships and support networks that can continue after you leave custody
If you are eligible, you may receive discretionary financial support while you are in custody.
Your Personal Adviser will make sure you know about the Local Offer and how to access it. If you cannot access it online, they will bring a paper copy and go through it with you during a visit.
Planning for your release
Planning for your release should start as early as possible.
Before you leave custody, the Leaving Care Team will work with:
- Youth Justice Services
- Probation Services
- prison staff
- housing services
- health services
- education, training and employment providers
Together they will help:
- review your Pathway Plan
- identify any risks or support needs
- find suitable accommodation
- support access to education, training or employment
- arrange health and wellbeing support
- help you prepare financially
make sure support is in place before your release.
Support when leaving custody
Leaving custody can be a big change. We will help you settle back into your community and work towards your goals.
The Leaving Care Team can help you access:
- accommodation
- education, training and employment
- physical and mental health services
- emotional wellbeing support
- benefits and financial support
- budgeting and money advice
- practical support when moving into accommodation
- support to reconnect with positive people and services
Your Personal Adviser can help you:
- build confidence and independence
- recognise your strengths
- understand your options and opportunities
- develop healthy relationships
- access mentors and support networks
- overcome barriers affecting your housing, education, employment or wellbeing
Accommodation support after release
Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to live.
If you need somewhere to live when leaving custody, we will work with you and partner agencies to try to identify suitable accommodation before your release.
Support may include:
- assessing your housing needs
- helping you find suitable accommodation
- understanding your tenancy agreement
- support to keep your accommodation
- advice about bills, budgeting and independent living
- support if your accommodation is at risk
- access to emergency accommodation where needed
Julie Potter, our Homelessness Prevention Personal Adviser can help support you with this email: Julie.potter@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Finance and benefits
Managing money can be difficult when returning to the community.
We can help you with:
- claiming Universal Credit and other benefits
- budgeting and money management
- debt advice
- financial difficulties or financial exploitation
- opening and managing a bank account
- accessing grants, bursaries and care leaver entitlements
- discretionary financial support where appropriate
- accessing your Setting Up Home Allowance when eligible
Health, wellbeing and relationships
Your health and wellbeing are important.
We can help you access:
- mental health support
- emotional wellbeing services
- drug and alcohol support services
- GP services and healthcare
- advocacy services
- mentoring opportunities
- support to build and maintain positive relationships
Having trusted people around you can make a big difference. We will help you stay connected to the people who matter to you and support you to build positive, lasting relationships.
Probation
If you are 18 or over, you may work with the Probation Service after leaving custody or if you are serving a community sentence.
Probation helps people make positive changes and reduce the risk of offending again.
You may be on probation if:
- you are serving a community sentence
- you have been released from prison on licence
- you have been released on parole
You may need to:
- attend regular appointments
- complete unpaid work
- take part in education, training or employment activities
- access support for issues such as drugs, alcohol or emotional wellbeing
Your Personal Adviser will continue to work alongside probation staff and other professionals so that you receive the support you need.
Need help?
Speak to your Personal Adviser or Leaving Care Practitioner if:
- you are worried about going into custody
- you are in custody and need support
- you are preparing for release
- you are struggling with housing, money, wellbeing or relationships
- you need help understanding your rights as a care leaver
We are here to support you before, during and after custody, and to help you build a safe, stable and positive future.
