Young people let down when they need help most

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 3rd Oct 2007

This month saw the publication of yet another saddening report for Hertfordshire young people. The Youth Offending Team, while doing well in a number of areas, received a grading of 'Inadequate - does not deliver minimum requirements' - with many important shortcomings for victims and restorative justice.

Liberal Democrat County Councillor Allan Witherick said: 'The Youth Offending Teams often don't make the press other than for the wrong reasons, but they do a lot of vital work with young people. They hold the heavy task of trying to help troubled, and troubling, young people get back to the straight and narrow. They need our support so that they in turn can help prevent the young people from re-offending and worse.

'Much of the problems faced by the Youth Offending Team are caused by lack of appropriate resources or support from the Tory controlled County Council.'

Cllr Aislinn Lee added: 'The Tory County Council are really letting these young people down. Even if they want to try and turn over a new leaf the report highlights the fact that many of the children aren't able to access the minimum of 25 hours a week education required by the Youth Justice Board. These young people aren't demons or monsters, but they can be if they don't get support. This doesn't help reassure victims or aid restorative justice and contributes to the inadequate score.