The first urges social work to use mechanisms, such as the 1982 Criminal Justice Act, as a means of improving the juvenile court process. The second seeks to provide a clear alternative to custody by redefining Intermediate Treatment as a strategy aimed mainly at 'heavy end' offenders. Those receiving Youth Custody have increased sharply since the 1982 Criminal Justice Act was implemented. This implies for both the courts and social work practice that justice is not being done and that diversion is not being achieved. If social work responds by concentrating most of its endeavors in one area, it would clearly have major implications for practice for the allocation of resources. Thus, it would have an effect on the kind of social work which young offenders might receive and hence how much such a service may be required. A total of 20 references are supplied. (Author abstract modified)