Young people, serious offending and managing risk: a Scottish perspective

Abstract

This chapter explores some of the issues surrounding the assessment and management of young people who have been involved in serious offending in Scotland. It reflects on the introduction of public protection arrangements for adults (defined as those sixteen years or older). It also outlines how Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) have been set up and identifies some of the practical challenges and issues that have arisen in the early implementation of these arrangements. Furthermore, the chapter reviews some of the findings of a recent literature review on the risk assessment and risk management of children and young people engaging in offending behaviours. Finally, the chapter considers some wider questions about the tensions between practice models based on risk and those concerned with the promotion of ‘good lives’ — particularly in terms of how these debates relate to children and young people.