| Youth Offending Teams have been operational nationally since 2000, working in partnership with partner agencies; the police, probation, social services, education and health services and other statutory and voluntary agencies, parents and young people to provide services from the point of arrest through to court ordered interventions for young people from the age of 10. Their principle aim is to prevent offending by children and young people and to help young offenders confront and deal with problems associated with their offending – these problems often include a range of social and emotional problems as well as possible substance misuse. Part of the remit of every team is to ensure that young offenders with drug and alcohol problems receive appropriate services, and YOTs work in partnership with Drug Action Teams in meeting national drugs strategy objectives. |