Issue - meetings

This report outlines the Medway Strategic Youth Justice Plan Refresh 2012-2014, which has been developed following discussions and consultations with partner agencies, it also reflects the requirements of the Youth Offending Team (YOT) and the new requirements by the Youth Justice Board to submit a costed plan in respect of their grant to the Youth Offending Team.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the Medway Youth Justice Plan 2012-2014. The Youth Justice Plan formed part of the Council’s policy framework and had been developed following discussions with partner agencies. It set out the aims and objectives for 2012/2014 in relation to working with young people who offend or who were at risk of offending.

The plan, which was updated annually, reflected the requirements of the Youth Offending Team (YOT) Improvement Plan and the new requirements by the Youth Justice Board to submit a costed plan in respect of their grant to the Youth Offending Team.

The report had been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 10 December 2013 and Cabinet on 17 December 2013 with their respective comments set out in the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment screening form had been undertaken on the draft plan and was attached at Appendix D to the report. This indicated that a full impact assessment was not necessary.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services (Lead Member), Councillor O’Brien, informed Members that targets NI19 (Re-offending) and NI43 (Custodial Convictions), which had been published as “Red – target missed” had now both been met (page 141 of the Agenda refers).

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services (Lead Member), Councillor O’Brien, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact, Councillor Hicks, proposed the recommendation as set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council approved the Medway Youth Justice Plan, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

Background:

This report provided details of the Medway Youth Justice Plan 2012-2014.

The Youth Justice Plan formed part of the Council’s policy framework and had been developed following discussions with partner agencies. It set out the aims and objectives for 2012/2014 in relation to working with young people who offend or who were at risk of offending.

The plan, which was updated annually, reflected the requirements of the Youth Offending Team (YOT) Improvement Plan and the new requirements by the Youth Justice Board to submit a costed plan in respect of their grant to the Youth Offending Team. Copies of the Youth Justice Plan, a summary of changes made during this annual refresh and a statistical review of the Medway YOT for 2012/2013 had been circulated to Members within Supplementary Agenda No. 1.

It was noted that the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered this report on 10 December 2013 and its views were set out in an addendum report. It was noted that the Committee had requested that an update, on the issuing of inappropriate cautions to Looked After Children, be presented to the Corporate Parenting Group in the New Year.

A Diversity Impact Assessment screening form had been undertaken on the draft plan and was attached at Appendix D to the report. This indicated that a full impact assessment was not necessary.

Reasons:

The Medway Strategic Youth Justice Plan has been refreshed and needed to be reviewed by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet.  There have been consultations with key partners and the adoption of a refreshed plan seeks to address the underlying local causes of youth crime.