Issue - meetings

To approve the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25

Councillor Mushtaq MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25. The Oldham Youth Justice Plan sets out the strategic direction for youth justice in Oldham, taking a partnership approach to reducing re-offending, reducing the number of first-time entrants into the criminal justice system and reducing the use of custody. The Plan had previously been considered by the Youth Justice Management Board, the Children and Young People Scrutiny Board and the Cabinet, who had all recommended its approval.

There had been an acknowledgment that the plan is significant in length. However, this was dictated by the template provided by the national Youth Justice Board. The Youth Justice Service Plan and Action Plan were attached as appendices to the submitted report.

RESOLVED:

That the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25 be approved.

To consider the Youth Justice Plan 2024/25 and to recommend its approval at the Council meeting on 11^th September 2024

The Cabinet considered a report of the Managing Director of Children & Young People. Each year the Youth Justice Service was required to submit an annual plan to the Youth Justice Board. This plan needed to be endorsed by the Youth Justice Management Board and the Council. The plan was presented to the Youth Justice Management Board on 17th June and submitted to the Youth Justice Board on 28th June to meet the submission date of 30th June 2024. The Annual Plan 2024/25 was presented to Cabinet for approval and comment before submission to full Council.

The focus of the plan for 2024/2025 was to move the service forwards in preparation for the new inspection process and to continue the services focus on reducing serious youth violence. The plan also focused on continuing partnership work across Oldham and Greater Manchester to ensure that the children that the service works with are getting the support they need.

The report concluded that Oldham Youth Justice Service is in a strong position to continue to improve the outcomes for the children that it works with by continuing to focus on prevention whilst still meeting the needs of the children who do become part of the criminal justice system.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 – To approve the Youth Services Justice Plan - As it was a statutory duty for a local authority to produce a Youth Justice Action Plan it was not possible to provide an alternative option to this plan.

Resolved:

That the Oldham Youth Justice Service Plan 2024/2025 and Action Plan be approved for submission to and approval  by Council.

The Youth Justice Service Plan Report was presented by Louise Patterson (Head of Service) and Paul Axon from Positive Steps.

Paul Axon Provided Committee Members with background information on what services are offered by Positive Steps, Members were informed that Positive Steps had been a commissioned service for the last 14 years, providing support and safeguarding to children who have entered the Youth Justice System

Committee Members noted that many children who enter the Youth Justice System are themselves victims of crime, with Positive Steps working with a majority of children they come across who have complex set of needs.

The Head of Service, presented to the committee the Oldham Youth Justice Service Plan 2024-25, and opened the floor to questioning on this plan to Committee Members.

In response to questions by Members on how a Child’s voice would be reflected in the services, the Head of Service stated that a participation worker gathers thoughts and feelings through the use of questionnaires answered by the child, as well as questionnaires and feedback from parent’s and carers to get a more balanced view.

Members of the Committee asked questions about re-offending rates being informed that 4.5% was the re-offending rate. The Head of Service noted that there was a cross industry work between Positive Steps and Schools that helped employed preventative measures to reduce the risk of reoffending.

In response to questions by Members about Positive Steps catering to the additional needs of the children who they may be supporting, it was confirmed by the Head of Service that there had been a Speech and Language specialist due to start secondment in August 2024. In addition, it was confirmed that there was an individual plan put in place for all the children who enter the service, to address any needs there may be.

Members asked questions concerning Mental Health Support, being informed by the Head of Service that whilst there will never be enough support for Mental Health Services, Positive Steps had undertaken considerable work in this area including the hiring of a CAHMS practiser, who will be a full-time worker, advising and supporting the team. In addition, it was also noted that a wellbeing coach has also been employed within the Service.

Members noted that Positive Steps was a trauma informed Service, which had conducted staff training around the impact of trauma on children, as well as cultural appreciation training around racial trauma.

In response to questions about whether or not the service had a high turnover of staff, it was noted by the Head of Service that Positive Steps had a stable staff force. There was currently a recruitment drive underway, with the service having a positive reputation.

The Head of Service informed Members of the Committee, that normally children enter the service through being charged with a crime by the Crown Prosecution Services, others enter the service by coming into contact with the police and court referrals.

In response to questions about the financing of the Speech and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6