Exploring racial disparity in diversion from the youth justice system

Research project finds racial disparities in youth justice decision making and makes a number of recommendations to reduce disparities. 

Project Leader: Dr Anne-Marie Day

The number of children entering the YJS has reduced significantly in recent years. This has been supported by an emphasis on diversion from prosecution. However, the number of children from minority ethnic backgrounds entering the YJS has decreased less than the number of white children entering the YJS. 

This research examined decision-making at the gateway to the YJS (initial contact with the police, including arrest) and aimed to:

• Identify the extent and nature of racial disproportionality at the gateway to the YJS and illuminate factors that explain it.
• Produce recommendations for policy and practice, highlighting how decision-making would need to change to reduce racial disproportionality.

We found that where decision making is made by a single agency (the police/ courts) racial disparities increased. Where multi-agencies with expertise were involved in diversionary decision making, disparities decreased.

We are testing some of our recommendations in 2026 – see below for more information (including full report, exec summary and policy briefing).

Research reports and outputs – Exploring racial disparity in diversion from the youth justice system – Nuffield Foundation