Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to the Youth Justice Annual Plan 2017-18.

The Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services which provided an overview of the work and an update of recent developments within Hampshire’s Youth Offending Team. The annual Hampshire Youth Justice Plan was also included.

Hampshire’s Youth Offending Team aims to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people aged 10-17 years. This aim involves significant criminal justice statutory functions which include the assessment and supervision of children and young people subject to out of court disposals, court orders, custodial sentences and bail and remand.

In addition to the statutory functions, Hampshire’s YOT also has a significant investment in the prevention of offending, with the aim of diverting children and young people away from the criminal justice system at an earlier stage.

In response to questions members heard that;

• The data reported on is from 2014/15 as this is the most recent verified information. Hampshire does keep and use up to date data however this can not be published until confirmed by the Youth Justice Board (YJB)..
• One of the core reasons that reoffending rates have not dropped is that the cohort has become smaller and those whose needs are more challenging remain.
• There are many initiatives to help prevent offending behaviour, such as the Wessex Dance Academy, however there is a lot in this area for District Councils to contribute to.
• The reduction in young people entering the criminal justice system is attributed to the effectiveness of the YOT and the work done to divert young people before they offend.
• In response to financial pressures, more work is being undertaken with partner agencies in relation to the complex individuals who are still offending.

Resolved: That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note the work of the Youth Offending Team and the Youth Justice Plan for Hampshire.