This thesis considers the wellbeing of young people at risk of offending in North Wales, whether it is protected by welfare services and how this manifests within the youth justice system. Over the last decade, Westminster government policy has contributed to an ethos of personal responsibility for even the youngest of children who offend. The abolition of the legal convention of doli incapax in early years of New Labour, the continued use of ASBOs and the recent 'Respect' agenda have all reinforced the message that society is at risk from children and young people. Yet academics and policy makers recognise that welfare risk factors influence young people's offending behaviour. Therefore the debate can be viewed from a different perspective where children and young people are the ones at risk from a society that is unable to meet their welfare need. It is no surprise that youth justice practitioners have been af the mercy of a 'welfare versus justice' debate for many decades. For Welsh youth justice practitioners, devolution and the Welsh Assembly Government has added a further dimension to this conflict. The All Wales Youth Offending Strategy, states 'there is no contradiction between protecting the welfare of young people in trouble and the prevention of offending and re-offending.' This principle will be tested using qualitative data gathered from empirical research and a review of relevant literature on the state of youth justice in England and Wales. Based in the North of Wales, this study is uniquely placed in its aims to give a voice to young people, parents and professionals working with a cross -county rural Youth Offending Team.