In recognising the link between youth crime and substance misuse, and the needs of young people, families and communities affected by these issues, youth justice provision and substance misuse services have been combined to provide a comprehensive service for young people aged between 12 – 18 years, Highland Youth Action Service.
The Youth Action Service is a partnership between Highland Council Social Work Services, NHS Highland, NCH Scotland, SACRO, BLAST (offers a drop in service for advice and drugs education - contact here), Education Culture and Sport and Northern Constabulary.
There are 4 Youth Action Teams covering the Highland Area - these are based in:-
Alness – Covering Ross, Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh – tel 01349 884764
Wick – Covering Caithness and Sutherland– tel 01955 605792
Aviemore – Covering Nairn, Lochaber, Badenoch and Strathspey – tel 01479 812975
Inverness – Covering Inverness – tel 01463 256603
The Service operates within the framework of the National Standards for Scotland's Youth Justice Services and is implemented within the strategic plan, For Highlands Children 2, Theme 6 Respected and Responsible. Local Governance of the service is overseen by the Youth Justice Strategy Group with funding administered within integrated Children's Services by the Joint Committee for Children and Young People.
The aims of the service are-
• To ensure that a range of services are available to young people of prevention, support and treatment facilities in relation to offending and substance misuse.
• Provide guidance, support and targeted intervention to allow young people to change their behaviour and consider the impact of this on themselves and others.
• Provide support for young people and families affected by family substance misuse, including the need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people.
• Access to intensive and specific services for individual young people who present the most concerning behaviour.
• Engage positively with communities to ensure that those affected by anti social behaviour have access to services which ensure effective and positive action is taken at the earliest opportunity.