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Youth Justice Board for England and Wales gov.uk

Early evidence suggests the LAP is steering children away from custody

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A new independent evaluation report found promising early evidence that the London Accommodation Pathfinder (LAP) has a lower recorded reoffending rate compared to the national average for children leaving custody. 

The evaluation, by the London Metropolitan University, makes clear that the findings are indicative rather than conclusive, due to the small number of children involved and limitations in the available data, so results should be treated with caution.

Funded by the Youth Justice Board (YJB), the LAP was launched to tackle the unacceptable over-representation of Black and Mixed heritage children on remand and in the youth justice system, while providing children with better outcomes and offering better long-term protection for the public.

The LAP supports 16 or 17-year-old boys with Black or Mixed heritage by housing them in a more appropriate, effective setting in the community. This is a direct alternative for children who are either on remand or facing a custodial sentence.

  • The evaluation found promising early signs that the LAP may help reduce reoffending. Of the LAP children included in the reoffending analysis, 26% were later found guilty of another offence. The national reoffending rate for children leaving custody is 61.7%, but the report makes clear that the LAP findings are based on a very small sample and should be treated with caution.
  • Post-LAP data indicates promising reductions in arrests, convictions, and court events. The report also indicated the potential for significant cost savings per child.
  • The LAP successfully removed or shortened the time that the Black and Mixed heritage children who stayed there spent in custody. Critically, this was achieved with no reported risks or harm to the public or victims and helped to reduce their exposure to the harmful negative effects of custody.

    • This is an extract. The publication continues at the source.

    Read the original at the source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/early-evidence-suggests-the-lap-is-steering-children-away-from-custody

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    Youth Justice Board for England and Wales — imported from official source
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    https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/youth-justice-board-for-england-and-wales.atom ATOM
    Imported
    September 20, 2026 19:53
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    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/early-evidence-suggests-the-lap-is-steering-children...

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