South West Hertfordshire Youth Action Panel

The South West Hertfordshire Youth Action Panel role works with young people and their parents and carers to help young people choose a positive path in life.

The panel aims to:

• minimise the risk of harm to individuals and the communities in South West Hertfordshire, particularly those affected by serious violence, exploitation and gang-style activity
• provide effective safeguarding recommendations that maximise the safety of victims and those involved in serious violence, exploitation and gang-style activity
• minimise the risk of harm to those involved in or who witness crimes related to serious violence, exploitation and gang-style activity
• actively share information between the partner agencies represented on the panel
• consider the effects of gangs and serious youth violence on women, girls and younger siblings

Make a referral to the panel

Any agency can make a referral to the South West Hertfordshire Youth Action Panel.

You can refer a young person if:

• they are under 25 years old
• they are linked to gangs, violent crime or exploitation – either as a witness or perpetrator
• there is a clear association with Watford, Three Rivers District or Hertsmere

Please note that, if the young person is under 18, you should obtain consent from the individual and their parent/carer before making a referral. If this is not possible, referrals can be made without consent under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

What happens next

The panel meets once a month, and all referrals received 10 days or more before a panel meeting will be referred to the following panel. After we receive your referral, we will invite you to a panel meeting where the referral will be considered and a vulnerability risk assessment will be conducted.

Cases accepted by the panel will be assigned an agreed multi-agency action plan.