Case studies
1. Education
Abdi and Assad’s Story
Abdi and Assad fled with their mother from the civil war in Somalia to the UK. Their mother made numerous applications at various schools for them. None of the schools in the borough would offer them places because they did not believe their ages in spite of the fact that an immigration judge had ruled that they were 11 and 12 years old respectively. They then spent seven months out of education. Their mother contacted Just For Kids Law and we liaised with the Local Authority. Places were made available at secondary schools for both boys within six weeks.
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2. Community Care
James’ Story
James is 17. When he was 12 his mother became addicted to crack. Two years later, his younger sister was taken into care and he was left living in a crack den with his mother. He lost a lot of weight, developed a severe skin condition and became very withdrawn. When he was 16 the police closed down the crack den and he was placed in an adult homeless persons hostel with Class A drug users. He was extremely vulnerable, had no income and no support. He was drawn into crime and remanded to Feltham YOI. Shortly after his release, JfK got involved and secured him a safe place to live, a Pathway Plan to help him plan his education and a Personal Advisor/Social Worker.
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3. Youth Advocacy
Sarah's Story
Sarah, a 15 year old girl, had never been in trouble with the police before. One evening, drunk with an acquaintance, they entered a pub asking to use the toilets. The bar staff did not want them to use the toilets and a physical fight ensued. Sarah’s only role was to step in and help her friend who was on the ground.
Sarah was arrested and charged with assault and affray. In the run up to the case the Local Authority wanted Sarah to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract which included a condition not to see her boyfriend. JfK intervened and we ensured that the Borough would not implement any contract until the conclusion of her case. Eventually the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case against Sarah. The Borough therefore had no grounds to pursue the Contract.
Without our intervention Sarah and her mother would have agreed a contract that Sarah would have broken. They were not aware that there were no legitimate grounds for the contract.
Read more Youth Advocacy Case Studies here