Advocacy for Children in Conflict with the Law
Accessible guidance and training for practitioners who prosecute or defend children & young people in the criminal justice system.
“The BSB has published specific competences relating to youth proceedings, yet, to date, there has been no one course that gathers together the information and resources, which practitioners should have in order to represent children properly. This ICCA course fills that gap.”
Mrs Justice May, Judicial Lead on Youth Justice
Specific vulnerabilities
Children in conflict with the law are some of the most disadvantaged in society with acute and complex educational, social and financial vulnerabilities. An advocate’s lack of understanding of the issues affecting these children, such as immaturity and adolescent brain development, racial disparity and trauma can lead to poor outcomes for children.
The work of the ICCA
The ICCA believes that this field of work should be a specialism and supports the continual improvement of advocacy standards for those prosecuting and defending cases involving children and young people. It is clear that without expert representation, outcomes can be catastrophic and future life chances thwarted.
The ICCA has developed a national course tackling some of the most challenging areas of advocacy in this field. Supported by a strong Working Group of legal, medical, linguistic and communication experts, the ‘Advocacy for Children in Conflict with the Law course (ACCL) will provide blended learning over 2.5 days. A small number of highly qualified and specialist Facilitators is currently engaged in the delivery of the face-to-face element of this course to Pupils. Towards the end of 2024 and early 2025, we will turn our attention to training the practising Bar.
The guides listed below have been updated and and form part of our new training materials which will be accessible via our virtual learning environment.
Please note that the ACCL guides are currently being updated.
- General Guidance for First Hearings in the Youth Court (revised February 2024)
- Bail & Remand for Children (revised November 2023)
- Anonymity and reporting restrictions
- Application for Certificate of Assigned Advocate (revised November 2023)
- Sentencing Children (revised November 2023)
- Child Trafficking and “County Lines” (revised February 2024)
- Sexting and Sexting Glossary
Our film on communication and engagement with children in the youth justice system is available below and also forms part of the new course.
