Children beyond control are youth who are uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild, unruly, disobedient, non-compliant or undisciplined (Oxford Dictionaries, 2022; The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2019). Despite their involvement in behaviours which demonstrate rebellion and place their future in danger, they do not violate any criminal laws (Gough, 1971). The misbehaviour is also known as status offence in some countries like the United States of America, Bangladesh and Nigeria (Syed Nong & Mohd Yusoff, 2015). The act is an offence if it is done by children but not an offence if it is done by adults (Child Rights Information Network, 2009). In simple words, beyond control refers to a non-criminal act which is illegal for children but legal for adults. Status offences can be found in different forms such as running away, truancy, smoking, alcohol consumption, curfew violations, begging, gang association and disobedience (Child Rights Information Network, 2009; Justia, 2023).

Keywords: Children beyond control, status offense, rehabilitation, Child Act 2001, Sustainable Development Goal.