Bureau (Out of Court Disposal Scheme)
Page updated on: 25/03/2025
Out of Court Disposals allow the police to deal with low-level offences for children who have no previous offences. In Carmarthenshire this process is called a ‘Bureau’.
For low level crimes, the police will refer the matter to the Youth Justice Team. The case will be allocated to a member of the team, who will arrange to visit the child and their parent(s)/carer(s) at home in order to prepare an assessment for the Out of Court panel.
The child and their parent(s)/carer(s) will then be given a time and date to meet with the Youth Justice Police Officer, and a Senior Practitioner of staff. The purpose of this is to put a plan in place to help to support the child at an early stage.
If a child is involved in low level crime and admits their guilt, a child could receive one of the following Out of Court Disposals:
- Informal outcome for low-level offence.
- Aimed at children who have committed their first offence, have admitted they have done it and the victim has agreed.
- It is a voluntary process.
- It will help stop offending through doing the work agreed on the plan.
- It is recorded on LOCAL Police systems, but not on the Police National Computer (PNC) so will NOT give you a criminal record.
- You will NOT need to tell future employers, but it might show on certain checks such as Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service(DBS) check.
- This is a formal Out of Court Disposal outcome.
- It can be given for any offence where the child has admitted the offence.
- You might need to do some work with your Youth Justice worker to help you stop offending.
- If you don’t do the work, the Court WILL be told of this if you commit any other crimes.
- This WILL be recorded on the Police National Computer system (PNC), and might show on certain checks such as Enhanced DBS.
- This is a formal Out of Court Disposal outcome.
- You MUST complete the plan of work you agreed to in your Bureau meeting.
- If you fail to comply, you might be sent to Court.
- This WILL be recorded on the Police National Computer system (PNC) and will show on certain checks such as Enhanced DBS.
Following the delivery of the outcome, then Youth Justice Officer will then work with the child on the agreed Out of Court Disposal Plan in order to support the child.
If there is a lack of engagement with the process, then the case is referred back to the police, where a decision to list for Court could be made.
For more information please watch this short film.
