Just over half of care experienced children will have a criminal conviction by the age of 24, compared to just over a tenth of non care experienced peers of the same age. Care experienced children are over 10 times more likely to have received a custodial sentence than children who have not been in care.

Lawyers should be aware of the duty to prevent the unnecessary criminalisation of looked after children and care leavers. A prosecution may not be proportionate because of their care experience. This guide will support criminal lawyers representing care experienced children and young adults to:

• understand the relevant legal framework
• reduce unnecessary criminalisation
• achieve better outcomes.

Published in September 2023 by the Drive Forward Policy Forum and the Youth Justice Legal Centre.