Acceptable behaviour contract
In the United Kingdom, an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) is an early intervention (generally following two warnings but prior to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order) made against individuals who are perceived to be engaging in anti-social behaviour. Though they may be used against adults, almost all ABCs concern young people [1].
The contract, drawn up and agreed upon by the agencies concerned in consultation with the individual, contains both negative and positive conditions, detailing respectively what behaviour the individual will cease to partake in and what activities the individual will pursue to change their behaviour.
Though ABCs are not legally binding, breach of an ABC is often used as evidence to support an application for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, breach of which is a criminal offence.
ABCs were first used in Islington in the early 2000s [2], and rolled out nationwide in the following years.
References
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