Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

The Cabinet Member for Children Services, Families and Education presented the report, noting that it had previously been considered by the People and Health Overview Committee on 6 July 2026.

During discussion, several detailed questions were raised. The Cabinet Member advised that full responses could not be provided during the meeting and invited the member concerned to submit their questions afterwards so that a detailed written response could be provided.

The Cabinet Member then invited the Head of Service for the Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service to comment on a few of the issues raised. It was noted that:

• A task and finish group was currently reviewing the membership of the Board, including opportunities to strengthen voluntary sector involvement and ensure that victims' voices were more effectively represented.
• The rate of younger children entering the youth justice system for the first time continued to be closely tracked and monitored.
• In relation to gateway crimes, the service was working closely with Dorset Police and Community Safety colleagues to develop and deliver appropriate intervention plans.

It was proposed by Cllr C Sutton and seconded by Cllr N Ireland

Recommendation to Full Council

That the Youth Justice Plan 2026/2027 be approved.

Reason for the recommendation

Youth Justice Services were required to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan which should be approved by the Local Authority for that Youth Justice Service. Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service worked across both Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Approval was therefore sought from both Dorset Council and from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

To consider a report by the Head of Service – Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service.

The Youth Justice Plan 2026-27 was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, and the Head of Service, Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service. The Head of Service summarised the contents of the Youth Justice Plan and the service’s priorities for the year.

Committee members discussed the report and asked questions of the officers. During the discussion the following points were made:

·         There was a concern from members about funding for the Youth Justice Service and it would put additional pressure on the council to fund the service, because the Ministry of Justice has frozen funding until 2029.

·         The Youth Justice Service has funded a speech and language project for some children at risk of exclusion and who may offend, to reduce their chances of offending. The project had been able to identify young people with severe communication needs.

·         Challenges for the service included being able to strategically align proposals in the Youth Justice White Paper with Children’s Services reform, and having resources to be able to provide more support to victims, particularly when victims are children.

·         The Youth Justice White Paper was considering raising the age of criminal responsibility.

·         The Youth Justice Service has supported parents with requests for assessments when they believe a young person has an unidentified need. The service also works with schools to ensure that children’s needs were being met.

·         There was overrepresentation of children with additional needs or children in care within the Youth Justice System. For children placed outside the Dorset Council area, there were not high numbers in the Youth Justice System. Officers were not aware of any unaccompanied asylum-seeking children being in the Youth Justice System.

·         40% of young people entering the Youth Justice System for the first time were aged 14 of younger. Children entering the system earlier means they could get more support; however, some would stay in the system.

·         The Youth Justice Board would conduct a deep dive to see who the first-time entrants under 14s were, and what actions were needed to address these reasons for offending.

·         An Expert at Hand offer was being rolled out to schools through SEND Reform which would have an expanded offer to schools for keeping children in education. Targeted youth work in schools had also helped to reduce exclusions.

Proposed by Cllr L Bown, seconded by Cllr R Holloway.

Decision:

To recommend to Cabinet that it recommends to Full Council that the Youth Justice Plan 2026/27 be approved.