This report outlined the Medway Youth Justice Plan 2010 – 2011, which detailed the following key objectives for the Medway Youth Offending Team (YOT) to March 2011:
· Reduce and prevent first time entrants into the Youth Justice System
· Reduce the use of custody as a sentencing outcome
· Ensure that YOT clients have access to both universal and specialist services
· Reduce the rate and severity of re-offending by those already subject to court orders
· Effectively manage risk, vulnerability and safeguarding issues within the YOT cohort
· Support partnership agencies in achieving their strategic objectives
· Work towards achieving the Every Child matters outcomes for all YOT clients
· Ensure that the YOT can continue to deliver quality services within a climate of uncertain public finances.
The Youth Justice Plan had been developed following a capacity and capability self assessment and discussions and consultations with partner agencies. It was also designed to address the following key areas: resourcing and value for money; structure and governance; partnership arrangements; and risks to future delivery. Areas for development and improvement had been incorporated into the plan.
As a policy framework document the Youth Justice Plan would be referred to Council on 29 July 2010 for approval.
It was noted that a diversity impact assessment had been carried out in May 2008 and reviewed as part of the capacity and capability assessment validation exercise. The screening form, attached to the report, indicated that a full diversity impact assessment was not required.
The Children and Adults Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the Youth Justice Plan on 12 July 2010 and details of their consideration and recommendations were set out in an addendum report.
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Decision number: |
Decision: |
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94/2010 |
The Cabinet recommended the Youth Justice Plan, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, to Council for approval. |
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Reasons: To ensure that Medway Council and other agencies have effective strategies for addressing youth offending behaviour that has positive benefits for society. The Medway Youth Justice Plan has been reviewed by overview and scrutiny, been consulted on with key partners and the adoption of a new plan seeks to address the underlying causes of youth crime. |
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Discussion:
The Youth Offending Team (YOT) Manager gave a
presentation setting out the context of the plan and the
team’s main priorities for the forthcoming year.
Two extra papers were circulated to Members setting out the latest
performance indicators (as stated in paragraphs 1.2 and 1.3 of the
report) together with information of the team’s achievements
in 2009-2010 which had been judged as ‘good’ by the
Youth Justice Board.
The committee asked whether contingency plans
were being considered for any potential national financial
proposals and changes to funding and/or legislation.
Officers responded that recent legislation had
actually strengthened the YOT position. The new government seemed
keen to move away from the current custodial model towards
re-habilitation schemes and there might be the possibility of Local
Authorities being given the budget to manage custody of offenders
in the future. YOT funding came from a variety of sources and it
was a realistic risk that the YOT would be expected to take a share
of national cutbacks. The senior management of the team had already
been re-organised and officers were now examining re-organisation
possibilities for the next level of staff in the team.
Members asked that a glossary of terms was
added to the document for ease of use.
Decision:
The committee agreed to recommend:
(a) that a letter is
sent by the Chairman on behalf of the committee recognising the
good performance and hard work of the Youth Offending
Team;
(b) to Cabinet and full Council that the Youth Justice Plan 2010-2011 is adopted.