ABOUT THE AYJ

The Alliance for Youth Justice works to improve youth justice in England and Wales, for the benefit of children, young people, and society.

 We do this by: 

• Increasing understanding and knowledge, offering advice and raising awareness 
  Promoting widespread understanding about the underlying causes of children coming to the attention of the criminal justice system through research, education and training, awareness-raising and advising the agencies responsible. 

• Promoting and advocating for the human rights of children at risk of entering, or within, the youth justice system, and monitoring its performance against these standards 
  A distinct, child-focused system that upholds rights and promotes wellbeing. 

• Challenging all forms of discrimination affecting children at risk of entering, or within, the youth justice system 
  Recognising that children face a range of personal and structural disadvantages which must be addressed throughout their lives to ensure that they are treated fairly.

• Promoting a focus on child-centred approaches and positive long-term outcomes 
  Advocating for systems, services and support focused on enabling children at risk of entering, or within, the youth justice system, to reach their full potential. 

• Working to reduce the criminalisation of children and end child imprisonment  
  Promoting maximum diversion from the formal criminal justice system and deprivation of liberty only ever as a last resort.

• Facilitating meaningful participation in influencing policy 
  Providing ways for children, young people and the organisations supporting them to shape decision-making.