Children Facing Knife Offence Allegations – A Critical Workshop for Professionals
Date: Thursday 19th November 2026
Time: 2pm - 4.30pm
Cost: £120 | £60 for YJLC members
In knife offence cases the narratives heard in court often fail to reflect the realities experienced by children and the sensitive nature of the cases can prevent professionals exploring how to take a child first approach.
To support professionals navigating this complex area, YJLC is offering a half-day, expert-led workshop.
The session will include real-life case studies and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning — making it ideal for youth justice services, lawyers, social workers, therapists, safeguarding leads, and any professionals working with young people in the justice system.
Past attendees have called it:
“Clear, practical, and relevant. Essential for anyone working with children in the youth justice system.”
What the workshop will cover:
- The legal framework and key offences
- The latest developments and guidance
- Challenging charging decisions
- Deferred prosecution & Outcome 20
- Exceptional circumstances
- Sentencing & mitigation
- Alternatives to criminalization
About the facilitator
Robbie Eyles
Robbie is a specialist youth justice solicitor. He primarily works on YJLC's advice line, providing free, specialist legal advice and support to children, carers, and practitioners on issues relating to youth justice law and practice. Robbie also regularly trains youth justice services, solicitors, barristers and other professionals on youth justice law, has written YJLC's legal guides and contributed to the upcoming edition of the book Youth Justice Law and Practice.
Alongside his YJLC work, Robbie practices as a solicitor at Just for Kids Law part-time, where he has worked since March 2020, representing children and young people in criminal proceedings. He is passionate about the impact a lawyer can have on a young person's life and seeks to work in a trauma-informed and strengths-based manner.
Robbie has particular expertise in child criminal exploitation and the rights of undocumented migrant children; he has published two academic articles on the latter subject in peer-reviewed journals.