Bournemouth children get earlier help to avoid offending

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-30 10:21 3 min read

An elder sister providing supportive guidance to a younger girl studying at a desk.

A newly built animal habitat at Upton Country Park is one of the visible results of work helping children across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole stay out of the youth justice system.

The Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service (DCYJS) says the number of children entering the system for the first time has continued to fall, while preventative programmes are helping young people at risk of exclusion or offending.

First-time youth justice entrants fall to 56

The Youth Justice Plan 2026/27, approved by Full Council on Tuesday, records 56 first-time entrants from BCP in 2025/26. That is down from 104 in 2019/20, with the reduction sustained since 2023/24.

Across Dorset and BCP, first-time entrants have fallen for the sixth consecutive year. The service says the figures reflect the value of early intervention and partnership work, although challenges remain.

Councillor Richard Burton, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills, said the report showed progress for young people and the wider community. He said support was being brought together “at the right time” to help children stay on track and fulfil their potential.

Re-Engage finds hidden communication needs

The Re-Engage programme works with children at risk of school exclusion, aiming to prevent them from entering the youth justice system in the first place.

Bournemouth children get earlier help to avoid offending

It received 152 referrals from schools across Dorset and BCP during the past year. Assessments found that 78% of the children had previously unidentified speech, language and communication needs.

More than 29% were identified as having significant communication needs, including Developmental Language Disorder. The findings allow schools to put support in place earlier, according to the youth justice service.

Inspectors have recognised Re-Engage nationally for its proactive, school-based model. Its focus is on identifying difficulties before exclusion or offending becomes a more immediate risk.

Young people repair harm through community projects

The Repairing the Harm programme gives children opportunities to make amends through practical work that benefits local communities. The service now works with 12 community organisations across Dorset and BCP.

Projects have included gardening, environmental work, woodworking and fundraising. Young people recently built animal habitats at Upton Country Park and made items that were later sold to raise money for local charities and community groups.

More than £2,000 was raised through those sales. Where possible, victims affected by youth offending helped choose the charities and community groups that received the proceeds.

David Webb, Head of Service for Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service, said the projects were helping children build confidence, develop skills and give something back while keeping communities safe.

Prevention work will continue across BCP

The service plans to continue its preventative approach through closer work with schools, communities and partner organisations. The stated aim is to help more children remain engaged, avoid entering the justice system and contribute positively to the places where they live.

For BCP families and schools, the plan points to earlier identification of support needs, more school-based intervention and additional opportunities for young people to take part in constructive community work.

Source: Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council

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The article was checked against the published BCP Council source and the figures, programme details and named comments supplied there.

Checks

Confirmed the 2025/26 first-time entrant figure of 56 and the comparison with 2019/20
Checked the Re-Engage referral and communication-needs figures
Checked the 12 community partners and more than £2,000 raised through projects
Verified the named programmes and Upton Country Park project

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