Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report of the Director Targeted Services, Positive Steps, which set out the strategy for Oldham Youth Justice Service (YJS) in 2018/19, with an outline action plan setting out how it would achieve its primary functions and key objectives. The Board noted that it was a statutory duty of the Local Authority to produce an annual plan.

Members were informed that Oldham was one of nine Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) in Greater Manchester within the North West region and was the only statutory Youth Justice Service (YJS) in England & Wales which was subcontracted by the Local Authority and directly delivered by an independent charitable trust, Positive Steps (PS). PS also provided an integrated range of targeted services. The Centre through which they were delivered, also hosted a range of partner services. Oldham was a medium-sized YJS, employing 29 staff and currently has 15 volunteers. The Service was managed in an integrated way alongside other services to support children, young people and families within a Targeted Services Directorate at PS. The Service was overseen by the Youth Justice Management Board, which included

representatives from the Local Authority and other statutory partners.

The Board noted that the primary functions of the services were:

·       The reduction in First Time Entrants (FTE) to the criminal justice system

·       The reduction in Re-Offending following both pre and post court disposals

·       The reduction in the use of Custody for offenders

·       To effectively protect the public

·       To effectively safeguard children and young people

Members were informed that Greater Manchester had seen emerging change through the GM Children’s Service Review and the devolution of power to Greater Manchester in key policy areas, including criminal justice. Oldham continued to work with all key GM decision makers and stakeholders to ensure the quality of local provision was maintained and improved. Oldham had taken a key role in the development and continuation of Greater Manchester priorities and held a lead role in the development of the following areas:

·       Resettlement

·       Evidence based practice

·       Out of court Disposal (pilot area)

·       Problem Solving courts (pilot area)

The action plan was separated into two sections, one focussing on 2018/19 priorities and service delivery, and the second focussing on development which was costed. The costed plan was a requirement of the Youth Justice Board (YJB). As the grant provided by the MoJ via the YJB must only be used for development work.

Members sought and received clarification/commented on the

following points:

·       Problem solving courts pilot – this was a different approach that was in development, which usually involved the families and was more of a participatory discussion than just sentencing.

·       Post linked to A&E – this had not yet been appointed to and wold be based on the model from St Martin’s in London, where the approach worked well.

·       Low communication skills – 60% of young people in the justice system had some form of speech or language barrier. Helping overcome this quickly built self-esteem and motivation.

·       Probation service contribution – the service supplied a post, as an in-kind contribution rather than just financial.

·       Specific work re knife crime – the A&E link would work around this. The team also worked with Street Doctors who taught young people about the impact of knife crime by training them in first response and how to deal with injuries.

·       Outcomes of the “Which Way” project – there had been good data back that showed low levels of re-offending. This needed oversight long-term to be assured of rehabilitation.

·       Strong volunteer workforce – there was a full induction programme and feedback showed the volunteers felt supported. They were able to offer a different approach to paid staff.

·       Community Payback – YJS called this giving back and it was personalised to the victim and offender. Young people could also be involved in the Positive Cycles initiative and could work with older people in care homes.

RESOLVED that:-

1.     The Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2018/19 be noted and commended to the Council for approval.

2.     The Board would receive an update on progress in 12 months.