To review the draft Youth Justice Plan 2021/22.

The committee received a presentation from the head of service for the West Mercia Youth Justice Service.

The committee discussed the report and questioned the head of service and the interim director for children and families The debate highlighted:

•                  The need for wider consultation and to include the voice of the child;

•                  The interaction of the youth justice service with other teams, and young people themselves including regarding the transition to adulthood;

•                  The use of restorative justice activities;

•                  The reasons for the reduction in first time entrants and the use of diversionary activities;

•                  The required improvements in the resettlement policy, learning from examples of good practice;

•                  The development of the new national standards, published in 2019, and the improvement plan for the West Mercia service;

•                  An offer to provide a briefing session for all councillors on the work of the Youth Justice Service.

The cabinet member for children and families was invited to comment and it was noted that the plan would also be considered by Cabinet before being presented to Council for endorsement. 

Recommendations were proposed and seconded and it was unanimously resolved that:

(a)   the committee endorse the Youth Justice Plan 2021-2022 for presentation to Council;

(b)   a written briefing be provided on diversionary schemes and activities;

(c)   a copy of the national standards and improvement plan be shared with the committee;

(d)   for the 2022/23 iteration of the plan the committee recommends the inclusion of:

• increased evidence of consultation with young people and the wider public;
• evidence on staff consultation; and
• more information on progress on county lines, exploitation and peer on peer abuse.

To endorse the Youth Justice Plan 2021/22 for approval by full Council and consider whether there are any comments the committee would wish to make that would inform the production of the Plan for 2022/23.