Agenda item

To consider and comment on the Youth Justice Plan prior to its submission to Cabinet and Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services introduced the item and the Manager of the Dorset Combined Youth Offending Service (YOS) presented the Report.

The Committee was advised that the Report appended the Youth Justice Plan for 2019/2020.  There was a statutory requirement to publish an Annual Youth Justice Plan which must provide specified information about the provision of youth justice services. 

The Committee was requested to endorse the Youth Justice Plan for 2019/2020 to Cabinet to recommend to full Council.

The Committee discussed the Youth Justice Plan and comments were made, including:

·       In response to a query regarding how the YOS was managing with reductions in funding, the Committee was advised that, to increase its resilience, the YOS merged pan Dorset in 2015.  It was highlighted that the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 stipulated that the YOS must include certain staff posts, which the YOS met plus some additional posts however, overall a reduction in staff had been necessary

·       The issue of an increase in first time offenders was discussed and the Committee was advised that this was a complex area as the YOS would not normally start working with offenders until they were in the system.  The Service worked closely with the Police on individuals to improve outcomes, this included the need to sometimes use diversion tactics and the use of a restorative justice approach to enable fewer formal outcomes for low level offending. 

·       In response to a query about how BCP Council and its Councillors could help the Service, the Committee was advised by being actively involved within the local community, monitoring and reporting on problem and vulnerable children and being aware of issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation and County Lines.  The importance of an integrated approach was highlighted.

·       With regards to CAMHS, the Committee was advised that the YOS had nurses seconded to its team, which meant that access to it could be brokered quicker than if being referred by another service

·       The Committee agreed that it would be beneficial to receive an update report on the three key performance indicators every six months to enable it to monitor YOS’ progress

·       The work of the Speech and Language Therapist was highlighted, and it was noted how beneficial this addition to the team had been.  Work was being undertaken with the local Justice system, how the Police and court settings communicate with youth offenders and to give understanding and insight into the possible reasons for the youth offenders behaviour in the different settings

·       In response to a query regarding the quarterly finance reports and providing value for money, the Committee was advised that the YOS’ aim was to ensure it uses its budget effectively to ensure improvements were being seen in the young people it dealt with as opposed to achieving a balanced budget

·       It was noted that a few issues had been identified within the report writing which could be rectified to make it easier to understand.

The Corporate Director for Children’s Services concluded by thanking the Committee for its helpful feedback.  The Committee was advised that this would be fed back to the Youth Justice Board and it was noted that an update Report would be brought back to this Committee in six months regarding the key performance indicators.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee endorsed the Youth Justice Plan for 2019/2020 so that Cabinet can recommend its approval to full Council.

Voting: For - Unanimous