Hertfordshire’s Turnaround Programme - Extension

Turnaround is an early intervention programme led by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The programme works with children aged 10-17 years old on the cusp of entering the youth justice system to address areas of need and ultimately reduce the likelihood of further offending.

The programme had been due to end 31 March 2025 as an extension of MoJ funding was unconfirmed however, we are pleased to be able to share that we have been allocated some ongoing, albeit reduced, funding to deliver Turnaround until 31 March 2026.

We have two Turnaround Intervention Workers (TIW) in place covering the county along with an operational manager.

Robert Samuel (Youth Justice)	YJ Service Manager with operational oversight of Turnaround
Angela Collins (North)	North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn & Hatfield, East Herts and Broxbourne
Juliet Martin (West)	St Albans, Dacorum, Three Rivers, Watford and Hertsmere

 

The programme has been developed with the Supporting Families model of early intervention in mind and therefore takes a whole family approach with the following principles:

 Eligibility

The programme has a specific eligibility criterion which can be found in Appendix A, below.

Referrals should only be made using the Turnaround Referral Web Form and will not be accepted if received via direct email.

Turnaround is a voluntary programme and will require consent. This will be sought by the Turnaround Intervention Worker at point of initial contact however referrers should make referrals with the knowledge of the child and their parent/carer.

If you have any queries, aren’t sure if a child is eligible or would like to arrange for one of our TIWs to have an informal chat with a child and their family, please contact a member of the team via Turnaround@hertfordshire.gov.uk

How does it work?

TIWs undertake a needs assessment (Prevention and Diversion Assessment) to holistically assess the needs and environment of the child and their wider family, from which a plan is co-produced, with the focus on preventing future contact with the youth justice system by meeting unmet needs.

Interventions will:

• promote children’s individual strengths and capacities to develop their pro-social identity for positive outcomes and change.
• encourage children’s active participation and engagement through meaningful collaboration with children and families.
• minimise criminogenic stigma from contact with the criminal justice system or underlining any pro-offending identity.
• add value to what is already being delivered locally; and
• ensure resources, including suitable trained practitioners, are available

The TIW leads and coordinates delivery of support and interventions with other agencies, ensuring the family plan is met. Support includes Team Around the Family (TAF) type meetings which are meetings between a child, their family and professionals who are also supporting them. The purpose is to share information and to create a solution focussed plan that supports the needs of the child and their family. 

It is expected that the average length of support will be around 3 months although this will be managed on an individual basis depending on the needs.

Due to limited staffing resource, we may have to operate a waiting list but wherever possible we will seek to support as many children as we can over the next financial year.

Resources

Visit our dedicated webpage Turnaround Programme | Hertfordshire County Council.

We have prepared some Turnaround resources which are available in digital formats:

• Turnaround Poster for Professionals – this is an internal facing poster which briefly outlines the eligibility criteria and contains a QR code which links directly to the referral form.
• Turnaround Information Leaflet – this is designed to be shared with children and their families at the point of referral. It contains an overview of the programme including the sort of support they may receive. The digital nature means it can be sent via email, text, WhatsApp etc.

 

Appendix A – Turnaround Eligibility Criteria

Turnaround is open to young people aged 10 – 17 years old.

One of the following must have been met for a child or young person, in the last three months, for them to meet eligibility for Turnaround.

• Subject to No Further Action (NFA) decision
• Interviewed under caution following arrest or subject to a criminal investigation attending a voluntary interview
• Subject to a Community Resolution
• Received a first-time youth caution (not a conditional caution)
• Released Under Investigation (RUI) or subject to Pre-Charge Bail (PCB)
• Discharged by a court
• Acquitted at court
• Fined by court
• Those who have come to notice of agencies with enforcement powers for repeated involvement in anti-social behaviour
• Those involved in anti-social behaviour who have received:
  • Community Protection Warning/Notice (CPW/N)
  • Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC)
  • Civil Order for ASB

Who is not eligible for Turnaround?

The following children are not eligible for Turnaround:

• Care Leavers
• Those who have a current or have had a previous Youth Justice or Turnaround intervention (regardless of the length of time since the child was open)