Issue - meetings

The Medway Youth Justice Plan is a completely new plan in line with guidance distributed to local authorities in March 2024. The Format of the plan follows guidance and headings provided by the national Youth Justice Board in the guidance mentioned, detailing best practice in the Youth Justice Plans completion. The Council is requested to approve the Plan.

Background:

The report presented the annually reviewed Medway Youth Justice Partnership Strategic Plan, which was a strategic plan that formed part of the Policy Framework for Medway Council. The Plan had also been updated in line with guidance received by the National Youth Justice Board in March 2024.

Consultation had taken place primarily through the multi-agency Youth Justice Partnership Board, which was the main forum for governance and oversight of the Youth Offending Team in Medway and had good representation from all statutory partners and a range of non-statutory partners.

The report had previously been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 1 August 2024 and by the Cabinet on 1 October 2024. The comments of the Committee and the decisions of the Cabinet were set out in sections 7 and 8 of the report respectively.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Councillor Price, supported by Councillor Animashaun, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decisions:

a)      The Council noted the comments of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out at section 7 to the report and the decisions of the Cabinet set out at section 8 of the report.

b)       The Council approved the Medway Youth Justice Partnership Strategic Plan 2024 – 2025.

Background:

The report provided the Cabinet with an opportunity to consider the annually reviewed Medway Youth Justice Partnership Strategic Plan, which was a strategic plan that formed part of the Policy Framework for Medway Council, prior to consideration at Full Council. The Plan had also been updated in line with guidance received by the National Youth Justice Board in March 2024.

Consultation had taken place primarily through the multi-agency Youth Justice Partnership Board, which was the main forum for governance and oversight of the Youth Offending Team in Medway and had good representation from all statutory partners and a range of non-statutory partners.

The report had previously been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 1 August 2024 and its comments were set out in section 8 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

As the Youth Justice Plan is a policy framework document it is for Cabinet to note and recommend approval by Full Council prior to formal submission to the Ministry of Justice and placement in the House of Lords’ Library.