supporting children at risk of offending

teenage boy silouette

“Once you get into that bad stuff there’s no way out. Nowhere’s safe. Like ‘round here, you’re either in a gang or you’re dead and if you’re in a gang you’ll probably end up dead anyway. What kind of choice is that? ” – ‘Tony,’ aged 16

In a century where the pressures on children and young people seem to grow ever stronger and the authority of parents, school and the police continues to wane, increasing numbers of children are facing the challenges of drugs, bullying, abuse, poverty and family breakdown... alone.

Often school is one of the first places where children living with these problems are identified. Many children, overwhelmed by their problems, act-up or act out in a bid for attention or a cry for help. Children seen as ‘trouble-makers’ may become isolated or be excluded from mainstream schooling. When this happens the risk of them becoming involved in criminal activity grows.

learn more

Spurgeons believes that whatever their circumstances, children should be given the opportunities to reach their full potential. To ensure that children who have been excluded from school are able to do this, it is crucial that trained Spurgeons staff help children to address the root-causes of their problems.

In partnership with the Police, schools, social workers and Youth Offending teams, Spurgeons supports families at times of crisis and provides one- to-one mentoring and befriending for children, as well as outreach work.

Our work is made possible because of the valuable contributions of committed volunteers and we think you might have what it takes to be a part of it. If you think you might be interested in volunteering, find out more in our 'want to volunteer?' section.

fast facts

fast facts about children at risk of offending

  • The causes of juvenile crime are numerous, complex and often interrelated.
  • Some experts believe that children are more likely to commit a crime if they grow up in a deprived area or in an environment where aggression, violence, substance abuse and adult crime are common-place.
  • Many children become involved in crime because of intense peer pressure, which often shows itself in the form of bullying or marginalisation.
  • The Ministry Of Justice reports that the majority of crime is committed by young males of twelve to twenty years, with peak offending occurring at about fourteen years old.[1]
  • A young offender is someone under seventeen years old who has committed a criminal offence.
  • The legal age of ‘criminal responsibility’ is ten years old. Children under the age of ten cannot be held responsible for their crime.
  • However, anyone aged between ten and fourteen years old is presumed to know the difference between right and wrong. Children of these ages can be convicted of a criminal offence.
  • Teenagers between fourteen and seventeen years old are fully responsible for the crimes they commit. However, their age is taken into account during sentencing.

[1] Ministry Of Justice – Arrests For Recorded Crime (notifiable offences)