In order to prevent your child getting into trouble with the law, it’s important to understand the reasons why most young people offend in the first place.
There is generally no simple reason why children become involved in offending. However we do know that a number of things can act together to make children more likely to commit crime. These things include:
Parents are generally the most important people in their children’s lives. Their views and behaviours can have a good or bad influence on their children’s behaviour including offending behaviour.
Children are much less likely to get into trouble if their parents have a good relationship with them and can talk openly with them, if their parents can agree sensible clear rules and encourage them to stick to them as much as possible, and if parents know where they are and what they are up to.
Children are also less likely to get into trouble if their parent have an interest in their school life, good relationships with teachers and can ensure that they go to school as often as possible.
Children are less likely to offend if their parents can help them to become involved in activities or interests in their local community. This can include youth clubs, sports clubs, uniformed groups and church groups.
There might be times that despite their best efforts, or because they find it difficult to give their children the support they need, parents need some extra support to help keep their children out of trouble. At times like these it may be helpful for parents to ask for some help for a time from others, including their GP, Social Services or Education Welfare Services.
Northern Area Early Intervention Project (Northern Trust)
9-11 Upper Main StreetTel: 028 2826 3377
Strength 2 Strength (Western Trust)
ExternTel: 028 7126 2104
Strength 2 Strength (South Eastern Trust)
ExternTel: 028 9181 4625
Child and Parent Support Project (Belfast Trust)
NIACROTel: 028 9032 0157
Child and Parent Support Project (Southern Trust)
NIACRO 1A Russell StreetTel: 028 3751 1433
Please remember, many children have problems during their childhood but most of these do not go on to commit crime. The majority of those who do commit crime do not commit serious or multiple offences.
Even those who do commit serious or multiple offences tend to eventually grow out of it. The support of parents is probably the most important thing in helping children to stay out of trouble or to help them out of it if they become involved.
Parents
