What is a Junior Attendance Centre?
Junior Attendance Centres (JACs) are places where young offenders can be ordered by a court to attend regularly for a set number of hours and on set days.
An Attendance Centre Order can be issued as a standalone sentence or it can be issued in conjunction with another requirement.
The exact number of hours and the specific days on which the offender has to attend is determined by the Attendance Centre Order which is issued by a court.
For those receiving an Attendance Centre Order, attending the JAC acts as both a restriction on their time for the offence they have committed, and an education about their offending behaviour.
The key aims of the JAC are that:
- The young person is punished
- Re-offending is stopped or reduced in seriousness and frequency
- The young person is engaged
- A positive change in attitude and behaviour is achieved
- The required number of hours are completed.
When should I attend a JAC?
If you have been instructed by a court to attend a JAC, you must attend at the agreed times until you have completed the number of hours set out in your Order.
If you miss a session you must provide an acceptable explanation as to why you did not attend otherwise you could be referred back to the court for further sentencing.
You must also keep in regular contact and inform the JAC of any change of address.
Your attendance will not interfere with school, training or work.
Where should I attend?
Once you have been referred to the JAC, your case manager will contact you and, if under 16, they will also contact your family/carer where appropriate.
Your case manager will provide you with details of the JAC including the location, contact details and attendance reporting instructions.
If you require assistance with transport to and from the JAC, then your case manager will ensure that information and practical assistance is provided.
What will I be doing at a JAC?
Your case manager will ensure that programmes provided by the JAC are developed to address local needs and offending behaviour.
Once you have been ordered to attend a JAC, you must work with your case manager on an agreed programme that helps you to look at the reasons for the offences you committed and the impact they had on you and others. Slough JAC runs a rolling 10-session programme that is also designed to enhance skills and improve your health and well-being. The 10-session programme of activity can be found overleaf.
Parents and carers will be fully involved throughout the process, and it is hoped that they will support the programme.
Will I have to go back to court?
A return to court is possible if you do not keep
appointments or if you do not carry out the
agreed activities in a respectful and safe way.
JAC programme
The JAC sessions and activities include, with occasional changes, the following:
- Communication, expression &constructive activities
- Goals, motivation for change &constructive activities
- Diversity, inclusion & constructive activities
- Problem solving & constructive activities
- Relationships, health & constructive activities
- First aid
- Food & diet
- AQA budgeting 1
- AQA budgeting 2
- Commercial crime