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parents’ tenancy. When all warnings had failed, a multi-agency team obtained an interim
ASBO on the five boys to put an immediate stop to the nuisance.
Evidence provided by PCSOs and the estate manager was used at the hearing, and interim
orders were granted.
Minor breaches over the Christmas period were reported to the police by witnesses between
the interim and full hearing, and
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169,
Simon Cordell’s Skeleton Argument (2) Pdf
Children and young people
these strengthened the ease for the ASBOs at the full hearing.
Witnesses who were previously fearful of giving evidence were willing to do so at the full
hearing where the ASBOs were granted, and an ISO was attached to each ASBO to tackle
some of the underlying causes of the behaviour.
The conditions of the ASBOs on the five boys ordered them:
not to cause nuisance within the vicinity of their dwellings.
to stop knocking on doors and windows; and
not to play games on the balcony. Outcome
The main benefit of the ASBOs was the relief that they brought to the neighbours, who felt
they had been supported through the process by police and the housing office.
The ISO, devised and facilitated by Norfolk Youth Offending Team, consisted of four hour-
long sessions aimed at helping the boys develop an understanding of how their anti-social
behaviour, their constant shouting and banging, impacted on themselves as a group, on their
immediate family, and on their neighbours.
The first session defined the ground rules for the group, including showing respect, listening
with only one person talking at a time, no shouting, and with each member
being allowed to voice an opinion. The second session got the boys listening to what people
were saying around them. The third session introduced elements from a social skills game
that focused on the boys’ finding different ways of asking each other something without
resorting to shouting. In the fourth session, a worker from Positive Futures helped the boys
think about what leisure activities were available as alternatives to playing on the balcony.
The youth worker kept the boys’ parents up to date on what was happening in the sessions.
Family X, who were relocated away from family Y, kept their tenancy and no further
problems were reported. Similarly, family Y succeeded in stopping their anti-social
behaviour.
The ISO gave the boys an opportunity to understand the effect of their rowdy behaviour on
themselves and others. As a result of the order and the interventions of the youth worker, the
boys took up recreational activities and found constructive ways of spending their time.
Overall, the intervention package was a great success for the community, and for the families
themselves.
Contact
Karl Hodgins
Youth Worker, Norfolk YOT Karl.Hodgins@yot.norfolk.gov.uk
In a debate in the House of Commons on 28 June, Vernon Coaker MP, a Home Office
Minister, said:
“ISOs are playing their part in the wider battle to combat anti-social behaviour and promote
positive behaviour. They have proven potential to help young people to turn around their
lives and move away from anti-social behaviour and offending.

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