14.This introduces a new power for magistrates in England and Wales to sentence young offenders by way of a referral to a youth offender panel.
15.It sets out the circumstances in which the new power will be available to the courts and the administrative arrangements for referral to a youth offender panel. It amends the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to add to the functions of youth offending teams by giving them specific responsibilities for setting up youth offender panels and monitoring and recording the progress of young offenders subject to referral orders.
16.It describes the arrangements for meetings between the panel and the young offender and for agreeing a contract between the panel and the young offender. The contract will set out a programme for the offender to follow.
17.It describes the arrangements for monitoring the contract and the consequences for a young offender who fails to comply with the terms of the contract (and thus the referral order). It addresses the position of someone who is convicted of another offence during the referral period.
18.It gives the Secretary of State the power to make regulations to extend the cases in which referral orders may be made and to issue regulations and guidance on such matters as the qualifying criteria for youth offender panel members and the possible components of the contract to be agreed with the young offender.
Summary Part I - Referrals to Youth Offender Panels