Issue - meetings

Background:

This report outlined the Medway Youth Justice Plan 2011 – 2012, which detailed the following key objectives for the Medway Youth Offending Team (YOT) to March 2012:

·        Prevent young people entering the criminal justice system

·        Reduce the likelihood of re-offending by those Young People currently within the Youth Justice System

·        Respond to and manage the impact of Deter Young Offender’s and other high risk young people

·        Identify and manage vulnerability issues

·        Promote effective business change in response to the changing youth justice landscape

A delivery plan that supported these key objectives was included within the plan.

It was noted that the Youth Justice Plan had been developed following an inspection by HM Inspectorate of Probation and a separate inspection by the Care Quality Commission. The plan has also been circulated to partner organisations and endorsed by the Youth Offending Team Management Board.

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the Youth Justice Plan on 19 July 2011 and details of their consideration and recommendation were set out in the report.

As a policy framework document the Youth Justice Plan would be referred to Council on 20 October 2011 for approval.

A diversity impact assessment screening was attached to the report. This indicated that a full diversity impact assessment was not required.

Reasons:

To ensure that Medway Council and other agencies have effective strategies for addressing youth offending behavior and delivers outcomes that have positive benefits for our communities. 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 local causes of youth crime.