122/2004 The Cabinet recommended to Council
that the Youth Justice Plan update for 2004/2005 be agreed as part
of the Council's policy framework and be forwarded to the Youth
Justice Board for approval.
123/2004 The Cabinet noted, with an amendment to (iii), the
following conclusions of the Education and Lifelong Learning
Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to youth justice:- (i)
Focus needs to shift to undertaking more early intervention work
with young people and their families so the huge cost to society of
offending can be lessened. (ii) Programmes within Medway schools
based on the principles of restorative justice are effective and
should be supported by the council.(iii) The Council needs to
strive to ensure that 100% of Medway youth offenders leaving
custody can access appropriate accommodation as this will reduce
the likelihood of reoffending.
(iv) As one of the leading local authorities in engaging victims in
restorative justice programmes, the Council should be aiming even
higher than the current participation rate of 55%.(v) The Committee
would like Medway Youth Offending Team to assist the Medway Secure
Training Centre to establish a restorative justice programme within
the facility.(vi) There is a need to better promote the importance
of investing in youth justice services.(vii) All of the performance
targets contained in the Youth Justice Plan must be owned by all
stakeholders and not just the Youth Offending Team.