In this blog, Steph Roberts-Bibby explains how research on child development, identity, relationships and participation underpins the Child First decision-making framework for frontline practitioners.

The framework rests on four tenets: seeing children as children, building a pro social identity, collaborating with children and diverting from stigma.

The blog responds to an academic paper arguing Child First offers a veneer of progress, saying structural problems do not show the framework hides them, while accepting more work is needed on consistent implementation and on alignment from police, courts, social care and education.

It cites 2026 diversion data showing nearly half of youth justice service outcomes were resolved without a caution or formal court outcome, an average of 430 children in custody at any one time in 2024/25 (the lowest on record), and 86% of surveyed practitioners saying clear guidance helped them apply the framework.

On London, the blog says the Youth Justice Board is working with the Metropolitan Police to extend its Deferred Prosecution Scheme to selected knife possession offences.