Decision details

Barbara Bath, Head of Service Adoption, Fostering and Residential YOT provided an overview of YOT which was circulated to the Committee with the agenda papers and the three key areas of work for the Committee to consider as a focus for the sub group.

Barbara confirmed that the three areas of work highlighted related to the three national targets for YOT:

• To reduce first time entrants to the criminal justice system
• To reduce re offending
• To reduce the number of young people in custodial settings

1. Barbara reported to the Committee that there has been good progress in reducing the number of first time offenders.  Previously YOT had received grant funding for a prevention service but now this element of the service must be sought through partner agencies.  Barbara advised that there is a need to identify a more consistent process with good links directly into relevant services to help shape and influence.

2. The Committee was informed that there has been a slight percentage increase in the levels of repeat offenders and complexities of repeat offenders.  Barbara confirmed that 177 young people were repeat offenders and within that cohort, 115 were medium-high or very high risk offenders (to themselves or to others).  It continued to be difficult to deal with the behaviours for a number of reasons which included the need to address the more urgent needs rather than identifying the underlying issues.

3. Due to smaller numbers of young people in custody, Barbara reported that the establishments providing those services has reduced and as a result these services are now further afield which caused issues for the services and the families.

Wendy confirmed that she will contact both sub groups with further details of the requirements for the sub group work and the terms of reference will be established and agreed via email.  The two meeting dates for June and July could be used for the sub groups and reports to be tabled at the next meeting of the full Committee in September.

Brian Wood advised the Committee that representatives from the Youth Council could attend the groups if required.

Resolved:  The Committee:

i.  Considered and agreed which area of the YOT service to review through a sub group of the Committee

ii.  Confirmed and noted the sub group members

iii.  Confirmed work to be completed by the sub group on the links to preventative services

iv.  To receive further information on the ethnic representation of the 177 young people who re-offend