This guidance from the Children and Young People's Centre for Justice (CYCJ), is aimed at practitioners and managers working with children and young people who are in conflict with the law, or who are at risk of being so. 

There are a small but significant number of children and young people in Scotland who present a risk of serious harm to themselves and others as a result of their involvement in harmful sexual behaviour and/or serious acts of violence.

Key points

• There are a small but significant number of children and young people who present a high risk to themselves and others
• They are considered to be at high risk because their behaviour has already caused serious harm to a victim
• Many young people involved with offending of a serious nature will have complex needs and may have experienced multiple traumas in their lives
• Not all individuals who been involved with offending of a serious nature will necessarily offend again, and part of the assessment and intervention process will be to determine the risk of recidivism (the likelihood of another offence occurring).
• Whatever the approach taken, the child or young person should be at the centre of processes tailored to their unique needs and age and stage of development

Read the guidance