Agenda item

To present the Youth Justice Plan for 2020/21. There is a statutory requirement to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan which must provide specified information about the local provision of youth justice services. This report summarises the Youth Justice Plan for 2020/21, with a copy of the Plan appended. The Youth Justice Plan needs to be approved by the full Council.

The Manager of the Dorset Combined Youth Offending Services and Service Director for Children and Young People’s Social Care presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix A to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The purpose of the report was to present the Youth Justice Plan for 2020/21. There was a statutory requirement to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan which provides specified information about the local provision of youth justice services. The report summarised the Youth Justice Plan for 2020/21, a copy of the Plan was appended. The Youth Justice Plan needs to be approved by Cabinet and full Council.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made including:

• The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Service advised that she would take any recommendations from the Committee on to Cabinet and Council and in response to a query regarding resettlement planning following custodial sentences, the Committee was advised that this was a very problematic area due to behaviours and challenges with individuals but that tighter and more effective planning between the Youth Offending Service (YOS) and Social Care should help to mitigate those issues
• In response to a concern regarding the figures relating to first time entrants to the system, the Committee was assured that rates locally had reduced and that a coordinated approach was being implemented to help reduce it further.  The Corporate Director advised that the whole partnership was committed in working together to make an impact in this area and that the proposed model was currently being reviewed through two children who did receive custodial sentences to ensure lessons were learnt.  A Member requested an update on the progress of this in 6 months.
• The Committee was advised that the YOS response was not being impeded by a reduction in funding and that the service had successfully managed a reduction in funding by finding more efficient and effective ways of working.
• In response to a query regarding transitioning from YOS to the National Probation Service (NPS), the YOS Manager advised that it had a seconded Probation Officer as part of its team and consideration was always given as to when it would be appropriate to hand supervision over to the NPS once a young person turned 18, bearing in mind the services differing aims and focuses. Work was also being undertaken regarding young adults who come into the NPS as an adult, but who had been previously known to YOS and how that young person is dealt with
• In response to a query regarding data relating to the mental health of the users, it was advised that a number of users fell short of receiving an official mental health diagnosis being affected by issues such as early trauma and attachment issues in early years and a significant number of users had cumulative issues which would then build in to a larger problem.  The YOS followed the Youth Justice Boards recommendations to use enhanced case management processes to help identify these issues and the service had CAMHS nurses embedded within it to help facilitate engaging with services such as CAMHS, sexual health and substance misuse.  The YOS Manager and Service Director, Children and Young People’s Social Care advised that they would consider how they could collate data more actively through the YOS assessments
• The Committee was advised that some of the staff in the service had experienced similar life experiences to those it helped, and they used that experience alongside their professional learning and practices to support users through the system
• The feedback from users was discussed and it was noted that it was generally minor changes requested such as how long appointments lasted.  The Committee were reassured that work was ongoing to address these issues
• In response to a query regarding best practice, particularly for the speech and language therapy, the Committee was advised that the service followed good practice from various sources and the Youth Justice Boards remit to promote good practice which also included trauma informed practices.
• Budget pressures were discussed, especially in light of Covid and it was highlighted that sharing the service across two local authorities helped ensure the service was already very efficient but consideration to new ways of working such as virtual meetings, where appropriate and continued home working thereby reducing staff travel. The YOS Manager concluded he believed the service had the resilience to manage any pressures that may become apparent
• The importance of good early prevention services was highlighted and the Committee was advised that BCP Council was committed to investing in this area
• There was a detailed discussion on how to address the issues surrounding the overrepresentation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnics (BAME) within the service operate fairly. The Corporate Director advised of the disparity of experience of BAME had within the system and the possible reasons for this.  It was advised that the service was committed to identify and help professionals at all levels to keep this issue in the forefront, whilst using best practice models to make a positive impact and change.

The Chairman summarised the discussions as follows:

• That the Committee requested an update on the data relating to first time entrants into the system in six months’ time
• That more in depth data relating to mental health issues would be beneficial and discussions on how to collect data
• Encouraged the continued good practices between YOS and the NPS when transferring users
• The importance of improving relationships with and outcomes of the BAME community within the service.

RECOMMENDED that the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee endorsed the Youth Justice Plan so Cabinet can recommend its approval to the Full Council.