It is vital for social work students and practitioners to understand the complexities of the youth justice system. This fully revised second edition analyses and puts into context several pieces of new legislation such as the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, the Youth Rehabilitation Order 2009 and the new Youth Conditional Caution. Carefully selected case studies and summaries of contemporary research help to underpin this accessible and essential resource. Ideal for students on placement, this new edition enables the reader to follow complex and often difficult legislation and law.

Jane Pickford is a Senior Lecturer in Law and Criminology at the University of East London. She has extensive experience of working within the youth justice field, particularly within the court arena for a London Youth Offending Service.

Introduction
Values, Ethics and Human Rights in Youth Justice Social Work
The Development of Youth Justice Philosophies, Laws and Policies
Criminological Theories in Relation to Young People who Offend
The Laws and Sentencing Framework of Contemporary Youth Justice Practice
Working within a Youth Offending Team and in the Youth Justice System
Assessing Young People
Working with Young People
Looking Forward
Conclusion