To make sure that it’s getting Scotland’s new Vision and Action Plan for Youth Justice right for young people, the Scottish Government has commissioned Youth Justice Voices to develop an engagement strategy.

With the support and training of Youth Justice Voices participation workers, young people ('Youth Justice Visionaries') are developing a range of tools to gather the views of justice experienced children and young people on what the priority areas for the next two years and beyond should be. 

Youth Justice Visionaries have created a topic guide, on behalf of the Scottish government, for workers to use as a tool to support young people to participate in consultations on key Youth Justice issues they might have an interest in - including the Scottish Government’s Youth Justice Vision and Action plan, raising the age of referral, and potential new places of safety.

Download the Topic Guide

Responses should be returned to [email protected] by 30th of September


The topic guide has been developed as part of engagement work taking place throughout September to ensure that young people can shape the future of Youth Justice in Scotland and have their voices heard by the Scottish Government. Youth Justice Visionaries are also offering free online engagement workshops throughout September for existing youth and participation groups and organisations - get in contact with [email protected] to book a session tailored to your group. 

Views captured in these sessions will be presented anonymously to youth justice policy makers. We know that feedback is essential, and the Scottish Government have assured us that they will create a feedback loop and other ways to participate for those who aren’t online (including within HMP&YOI Polmont) based on the Youth Justice Visionaries’ suggestions.


Workshop: Extending the Children’s Hearings System
An online workshop to hear the views of young people aged 16-25 on extending the Children’s Hearing System will take place on 22nd September from 1.00pm – 2.00pm on Zoom.

This workshop is run in collaboration with Youth Justice Visionaries young people, CELCIS and CYCJ, featuring activities developed and delivered by young people. Free spaces can be booked via the Eventbrite link below - we would encourage workers to share this opportunity with the young people you support.

Book my place

For further information please contact Ruth Kerracher on [email protected]