Action Plan Order

The Action Plan Order was created by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 as a way of dealing with young people between the ages of 10 and 17, who have to be dealt with by the Youth Court.

The Action Plan Order is a short intensive programme over a three-month period, which operates to an agreed plan that is submitted to court and is approved by magistrates. Any deviation from the plan over the three months by the young person constitutes a breach and could result in the young person being returned to court.

The Order aims to encourage the young person to take responsibility for his/her actions and to consider the wishes and feelings of victims of crime.  It will also consider the need for 'reparation' (putting things right) to the victim(s).

Specific requirements of an Action Plan Order may include:

• Participation in activities.
• Attendance at offence focused work groups.
• Attendance at an Attendance Centre.
• Staying away from specified places.
• Monitored school attendance.
• Reparation, either to the victim of the offence or to the community as a whole.
• Attendance at a review hearing at the Youth Court.

The Court can use a combination of any of the above elements to create an Action Plan for any individual. It may also choose to impose a Parenting Order on the parents of a young person subject to an Action Plan Order.