A Better Path for Children in the Justice System: Niacro Responds to Government Proposals

Niacro has welcomed proposals by the Department of Justice to simplify community sentencing for children through the introduction of a new Single Community Order. In our official response, we’ve drawn on over 50 years of experience supporting children, families, and communities affected by crime to help shape a more compassionate and effective approach.

We believe this is a vital opportunity to build a fairer youth justice system - one that sees the child beyond the offence and prioritises support over punishment.

What We’re Calling For

Support over Sanctions
Children need care, not criminalisation. We’ve urged the government to take a trauma-informed approach that focuses on wellbeing, family support, and personal growth - helping young people break the cycle before it takes hold.

Focus on Rehabilitation, Not Restrictions
We support the right for children to finish their sentence early if they’ve met the requirements. We also oppose overly punitive measures like curfews, electronic tags, and compulsory unpaid work - approaches that research shows don’t lead to better outcomes.

Listening to Young People
Every child deserves to be heard. We’ve asked for legal advice and independent advocacy to be built in from the start, so that no one navigates the justice system alone.

Restore, Don’t Punish
Restorative justice - where young people can take accountability and make amends - should be an option, not a rule. When done right, it benefits victims, families, and the wider community.

Raising the Age of Responsibility
Northern Ireland currently holds one of the lowest minimum ages of criminal responsibility in Europe at just 10 years old. We’re urging change - to raise this age to at least 14 in line with international standards.

What This Means for Communities

With the right investment in local services - like mental health support, mentoring, and youth programmes - this new approach could help young people thrive instead of reoffend. Fewer young lives caught in a cycle of punishment means stronger families, safer neighbourhoods, and brighter futures.

Niacro is proud to stand with our community and sector partners in calling for reform that reflects fairness, dignity, and opportunity. Together, we can shift the focus from punishment to progress and help young people build positive paths forward.

For more information about our response, email pact@niacro.co.uk.

View and download our response here.