Living with final warnings: making the best of a bad job?

This article examines the final warning scheme from a number of perspectives. In the first place it considers the rationale for the abolition of police cautioning for children and young people and subjects it to critique. It then reviews the recent evidence that has a bearing on the likely impact of the scheme in terms of the prevention of offending. Finally, some unintended consequences of the new system, with particular reference to its implementation, are identified, and some related observations regarding the potential implications for practitioners are discussed.