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Working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children

Resources for supporting fair and informed practice with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children in youth justice.

Children from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are significantly overrepresented in the youth justice system and often face additional barriers linked to discrimination, exclusion, and cultural misunderstanding.

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This page brings together key resources to support practitioners in developing culturally competent, informed and equitable approaches when working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children. These materials include guidance, toolkits, data reports and practical advice from organisations leading in this area.

Key resources for youth justice workers

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller: History and Culture

An overview of Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller history and culture to support better understanding and inclusion.

The Traveller Movement

Working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Children in the Youth Justice System: Effective Practice for Youth Justice Teams

Guidance for practitioners on supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children effectively within youth justice settings.

MoJ / The Traveller Movement / Youth Justice Board (2021)

BESTIE: A Toolkit for Working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Children

A toolkit designed to enhance understanding and support effective practice for professionals working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children.

The Traveller Movement (2022)

Overlooked and Overrepresented: 5 Years on

A follow-up briefing assessing progress and ongoing disproportionality affecting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children in the youth justice system, five years after the original report.

The Traveller Movement (2022)

Beyond Acronyms: Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in the Criminal Justice System

Practical guidance on improving youth justice outcomes for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and families.

MoJ / HMCTS / HMPPS (2020)

Tackling inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

A parliamentary report highlighting systemic inequalities experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

UK Parliament (2019)

Sentencing Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Children

A briefing on sentencing disparities and considerations for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children in the justice system.

The Traveller Movement (2017)

Guide to Roma Communities for Police

A practical guide developed for police to support culturally sensitive and informed engagement with Roma communities.

CEJI (2019)

Gypsies’ and Travellers’ lived experiences, overview, England and Wales: 2022

ONS data outlining the lived experiences of Gypsies and Travellers across key life areas.

Office for National Statistics (2022)

Disrupting the School to Prison Pipeline

Executive summary of research into the exclusion and criminalisation of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children.

The Traveller Movement (2022)

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