Date: 23rd April 2026
Time: 1pm - 2pm
Cost: £15 | Free for YJLC Members
On 1 April, the new Home Office and Ministry of Justice guidance for children found in possession of knives is due to come into force. A key change is the mandatory intervention plan for all children, with all police forces in England and Wales required to implement a deferred prosecution scheme.
Join us for an expert-led session exploring what this guidance means for your practice and the children in your area. Hear from specialists in the field, discuss practical implications, and consider how to best support children under the new framework.
Our speakers are:
Emma Rathbone, Head of Targeted Services For Children & Young People, Liverpool City Council
Emma Rathbone has worked in Youth Justice since 2000, beginning her career shortly after graduating from university. She initially specialised in bail and remand, developing a strong foundation in risk assessment, safeguarding, and court-focused practice. Emma then progressed to lead on Intensive Supervision and Surveillance (ISSP) and court work, strengthening operational delivery and multi-agency coordination for children in the justice system.
In 2006, Emma became Head of Service across a dual local authority in North Wales, providing strategic leadership and driving service improvement. She moved to Liverpool Targeted Services for Young People (TSYP) in 2018, where she has served as Head of Service leading Youth Justice, and previously also held responsibility for Youth Services and Exploitation. Emma champions a trauma-informed, relationship-based approach—promoting strengths-based practice, effective partnership working, and improved outcomes for children, families and communities.
Kate Langley, Director of Operations (South), Youth Justice Board
Kate is the Director of Operations (South) at the Youth Justice Board (YJB), where she leads on the delivery of the organisation’s Oversight Framework across the South of England. In this role, she is responsible for ensuring effective monitoring and performance oversight of youth justice services, supporting continuous improvement and positive outcomes for children in the justice system.
Kate has played a key role in shaping national policy and practice relating to Out of Court Resolutions. She led the development of the YJB’s Case Management Guidance on Out of Court Resolutions, published in January 2024, providing a consistent framework for practitioners working with children outside the formal court process.
She has also worked in close collaboration with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to develop guidance impacting children, including contributions to the NPCC’s Child Gravity Matrix. More recently, Kate supported the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and other statutory partners in the development of the Government’s Guidance on Child Knife Possession, published in February 2026, and continues to work with partners to support its effective implementation.
With a strong focus on partnership working and evidence-informed practice, Kate brings significant expertise in youth justice policy, operational delivery, and cross-agency collaboration.
Robbie Eyles, Youth Justice Lawyer, YJLC and Just for Kids Law
Robbie is a youth justice lawyer with experience representing children and young people at court through his work with Just for Kids Law. He advises professionals, families, and children via the national advice line at the Youth Justice Legal Centre, providing clear, accessible guidance on youth justice law and practice. Robbie also delivers specialist training to legal professionals, supporting best practice in representing children. He is committed to improving outcomes for young people in the justice system.