... for children in terms of increased engagement and participation, improvements in confidence and self-esteem and the development of personal, social, health and educational skills. The project represents a compelling example of what child-first diversion looks like in practice. Originality/value The article...

...Naomi Thompson; Meghan Spacey Purpose This paper aims to explore how peer support can support a combined Child First, trauma-informed and restorative approach for youth justice. While other scholars have identified clashes between these approaches, particularly between Child First and restorative...

... play a vital role in promoting positive outcomes by embracing the spirit and ethos of the “Child First” strategy (YJB , 2021 Burns and Creaney,2023;   Day, 2022). This involves ensuring interventions are in the child’s best interests, constructive (e.g. promoting children’s strengths and capacities...

... within participatory and child first approaches. The paper draws on a range of evidence and research to explore whether inclusion of a lived experience perspective can foster participatory cultures. Findings Experiential peers can create a participatory youth justice culture, which can positively...