ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the particular case of young people who find themselves in trouble with the law. At first sight this may appear an odd example to use to illustrate how ‘needs’ are defined and met by social intervention. A common belief is that young offenders should forfeit all their rights to welfare, or other support, once they have broken the law. In this view, what is paramount is not ‘meeting individual needs’ but ensuring public protection and maintaining social order—or, rather, meeting a public ‘need’ for safety takes precedence over addressing whatever ‘needs’ the offender might have for ‘justice’ or ‘rehabilitation’. In practice, however, things are not so simple.
