Youth Inclusion and Support Panels (YISPs) aim to prevent anti-social behaviour and offending by 8 to 17-year-olds who are considered to be at high risk of offending or at risk of engaging in anti-social behaviour.

They have been designed to help the Governments aim of putting in place, in each YOT in England and Wales, programmes that will identify and reduce the likelihood of young people committing offences.

Families experiencing difficulties where young people are at risk of offending can nominate themselves for support and assistance. Similarly, agencies in the City who are working with families can, with the consent of the parents/carers, make a referral to the service.

Comprehensive assessments are undertaken by specialist key workers to identify any areas of support that the young people and their families may need. This information is then given to a "YISP" panel to decide what specific help each agency can offer to the families.

Panels are made up of a number of representatives of different agencies (e.g. police, schools, health and social services). The main emphasis of a panel's work is to ensure that children and their families, at the earliest possible opportunity, can access mainstream public services.