Issue - meetings

To consider a recommendation from Cabinet.

In proposing the Annual Youth Justice Plan for approval, the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help advised that the plan had been considered and supported by both People & Health Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet.

The recommendation was seconded by Cllr J Somper

Decision

That the Youth Justice Plan for 2020-21be approved.

To consider a recommendation from the Cabinet meeting held on 1^st October 2019.

Cllr A Parry, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, presented the report and recommendations.  The Plan had already been approved by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, the Youth Justice Board and the Youth Offending Partnership Board. 

Cllr R Legg referred to the graph on page 65 and asked whether the level of young people being referred into the youth justice system in Dorset had increased, when the graph showed that first time entrants were no worse than in 2013?  The report also suggested that if grants had been applied for last year, this might have resulted in young offenders being diverted away from the youth justice system and not being counted in the statistics.  He asked whether other local authorities successful in bidding for grants had reduced their statistics to show an improvement?  The Portfolio Holder stated that this would require a technical response and he would provide this outside of the meeting.

Cllr B Pipe referred to page 57 of the report and links between the Youth Justice System and other plans and structures.  He informed members that the Criminal Justice Board no longer existed and its work diverted to the Community Safety Partnership.

It was proposed by Cllr N Lacey-Clarke and seconded by Cllr S Jespersen

Decision

(a) That the Youth Justice Plan be approved;

(b) That an update be provided in 6 months-time on progress with the plan.

To consider a report on the endorsement of theYouth Justice Plan.

Recommended to Full Council

Cabinet considered a report that set out the statutory requirement to publish a annual Youth Justice Plan.  Members were advised that the Plan must provide specified information about local provision of youth justice services. 

The Portfolio Holder of Children, Education and Early Help confirmed that the report summarised the Youth Justice Plan for 2019/20. He further explained that this plan related to a pan-Dorset approach to improve local youth justice and children’s services systems, improve safety, well-being and outcomes for young people.         

Members noted that the Plan had also been scrutinised by People Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 10 September 2019, where members recommended the Youth Justice Plan for approval.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Recommendation to Council

(a)   That the Youth Justice Plan be approved;

(b)   That an update be provided in 6 months-time on progress with the plan

Reason for decision

Youth Offending Teams are required to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan which should be approved by the Local Authority for that Youth Offending Team and by the Youth Justice Board. Dorset Combined Youth Offending Service works across both Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Approval has been obtained from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, as well as being sought from Dorset Council. The Youth Justice Board has also indicated its approval for this Youth Justice Plan.

The draft Youth Justice Plan has been approved by the Dorset Combined Youth Offending Service Partnership Board.

To consider the Youth Justice Plan 2019/20 and to recommend its approval to Cabinet (and on to Full Council).

The committee received and considered a report with regard to the Youth Justice Plan for 2019/20.  Councillors were informed that there was a statutory requirement to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan which must provide specified information about the local provision of youth justice services. The report summarised the Youth Justice Plan for 2019/20, with a copy of the Plan appended.  It was noted that the Youth Justice Plan needed to be approved by Full Council.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion, the following points were raised:

·                A point was raised with regard to the closure of youth clubs, including youth worker arrangements and whether this had an impact in this area.  It was noted that some work had been done in this area and although it was hard to pinpoint reasons, it was reasonable to assume that this had an impact

·                The Executive Director for People – Children, provided information with regard to the restructure within the Children’s Services Directorate and noted that feedback from partners and young people was being taken into account.  Part of this was the establishment of an adolescent service including Cabinet approval for a residential hub for children and young people

·                A discussion was held about the link with schools and how resources would be deployed and work undertaken with schools moving forward.  The focus was on prevention and early intervention.  It was noted that there was a need for better links with schools and for there to be a broad and diverse approach

·                The link with mental health issues was raised and in response it was noted that the importance of mental health was recognised and that the service had a strong mental health team and in addition, worked closely with the Looked After Children Team.  A part-time psychologist provided consultation to the nurses and the whole service and a training programme was in place

·                In response to a point raised with regard to the use of restorative justice, an example of work undertaken was provided.  Work was being undertaken with the Head of Youth Services for Dorset Police to put forward a proposal

·                The potential impact on a persons’ life chances if they received a youth caution was noted

·                It was suggested that the committee could undertake more in-depth work with regard to looked after children

·                Councillors considered the figures for first time entrants to the service during the previous year and the number of custodial sentences received.  It was noted that these figures included the area of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.  The situation nationally was also referred to

·                No custodial establishments were available in the South West of England

·                A query was raised with regard to a cost of £65,000 set out in the report for performance and information gathering.  In response it was confirmed that this represented the cost of the case management system and the salary of a Performance and Information Management Manager.  It was noted that the service relied on a good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13