Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director of Care, Wellbeing and Learning

Committee received a report on the Youth Justice Service key priorities for 2018/19 and performance from April 2018 to date.

In terms of progress over the past year it was reported that the contract to provide the Liaison and Diversion scheme within Gateshead has been awarded to Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW). The impact of this is being awaited and it was requested that information on this be brought back to a future meeting.

The Restorative Service Quality Mark (RSQM) was awarded and approved for a further three years. Adverse childhood experiences are routinely discussed in assessment and the Trauma Recovery training is planned for March 2020. This training will help staff to incorporate appropriate responses to trauma within young person plans.

It was reported that the number of first time entrants is decreasing, the figures are positive in terms of the regional figure. There are two young people in custody, this is below the Northumbria PCC regional average and the national average.

In terms of re-offending the Gateshead figure is below the Northumbria PCC and national averages. Of this cohort 75% of re-offences were committed by males and 25% committed by female offenders.

The proven offences were by young people aged 12-18 years old, they were predominantly by 17 year olds with the average age of offender being 15.5 years old. There were no offenders aged 10 or 11. In relation to the type of offending the majority were public order and violence against the person, which includes common assault up to serious harm. Criminal damage is the next highest offence.

It was reported that the You Only Live Once (YOLO) project is being funded nationally by the Home Office to tackle knife crime. This has just been launched across the Northumbria Police Force area. The Youth Justice Service is working with Newcastle and Sunderland Football clubs, referrals are made into the project and the young person is assessed and referred into either football club to be mentored to reduce the risk of offending. It was pointed out that the funding is very recent and already a number of young people have accessed the project. It was requested that further information be brought back to Committee on the YOLO project.

Committee was advised that Susan Butler, Youth Justice Service Manager has now retired and Linda Kelly is now the new Service Manager.

The Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2019-2020 will be submitted to the Ministry of Justice in August. This will set the proposals for the year ahead and the key priorities for the Youth Justice Service.

It was questioned whether any of the cases of violence against the person was towards parents or carers. It was noted that this information would be sought and reported back, it was also acknowledged that Gateshead is a forerunner in terms of child to parent violent programmes. Gateshead has recognised this risk where many local authorities do not.

It was also questioned as to whether a high proportion of offenders are LAC. It was noted that LAC are slightly over represented, however benchmarking data tell us that the proportion of LAC who offend in Gateshead is not as high as in our Statistical Neighbour and North East neighbour authorities on average,  also work is ongoing with partners around joint planning for these young people. There are also models of restorative work with young people were the information is being used to develop disruption plans across the borough if other young people are involved. In addition, Northumbria Police do a 10 point check and look at reparative work to keep young people out of the criminal justice system.

RESOLVED    -           (i)         That the Committee receive regular updates on the key

priorities.

                                    (ii)        That the Committee’s comments on the report be

noted.

                                    (iii)       That updates be provided on the areas of work

identified by the Committee.