Agenda item

To consider a report by the Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing (copy attached) details the background, purpose and intentions of the Strategic Youth Service Plan, and provides the final draft intended for submission to the Youth Justice Board and its subsequent publication and distribution.

                                                                                                           11.30 a.m.

A copy of a report by the Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing, which detailed the background, purpose and intentions of the Strategic Youth Service Plan, and provided the final draft intended for submission to the Youth Justice Board and its subsequent publication and distribution, had been circulated with the papers for the meeting.

 

The Youth Justice Board (YJB) oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales and works to prevent offending and re-offending by children and young people under the age of 18.  It monitors and reports on the performance of the youth justice system to the Home Secretary through the Strategic Youth Justice Plans submitted annually by each Youth Justice Service (YJS) and through the collection of performance data.  Regional Teams of the YJB receive submission of the Youth Justice Plan.

 

The Youth Justice Service Strategic Manager (YJSSM) provided an outline  of the report which highlighted the following key areas:-

 

- The operational and functional aspects of the local youth justice services.

 

- Local Priorities:-

·        primary customers

·        service delivery for Denbighshire and Conwy.

 

- Strategic priorities for the next 3 years:-

·        how the priorities help to deliver the Council’s Strategic Ambitions, and the Council’s core roles.

·        the outcome and aims of the successful delivery of priorities.

 

- The agreed operational objectives for 2012-15 being further specific themed priorities in section 3 of the operational plan.

 

A detailed summary of the three sections within the Conwy and Denbighshire Youth Justice Business Plan 2012-2015 was provided by the YJSSM.  She made particular reference to the six Key Performance Indicators which detailed:-

 

·        First Time Entrants (FTE).

·        Access to suitable accommodation.

·        Custodial Convictions.

·        Re-offending Rates.

·        Engagement in Education, Training and Employment (ETE).

·        Substance Misuse (Assessment &Treatment Services).

 

The following responses to questions and issues raised by Members were provided:-

 

- The changes within the Probation Service had not had a detrimental effect on the service delivery of the Children and Families Service.  However, any future impact would be reported to Members.

- The Youth Justice Service was monitored through the six Key Performance Indicators, with each Member of staff having an input into the data recording system following the undertaking of comprehensive assessments.  An outline of the rigorous scrutiny process undertaken was provided for the Committee.

- Details pertaining to the Engagement in Education, Training and Employment were provided and the YJSSM outlined the work undertaken by the two Education Officers employed within the service.  Confirmation was provided that the appropriate risk assessments were undertaken in cases where behavior problems had been experienced.

- All members of staff within the service had undergone CRB checks with volunteers having enhanced CRB checks.  It was explained that the implications of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 would affect all organisations and this would be reflected in next years report.

- It was explained that funding issues posed the greatest threat to the service and details of the funding source, and related problems, were outlined for the Committee.

- The YJSSM explained that a Risk Register was maintained and a future Action Plan was being developed.  It was confirmed that changes to the service were unpredictable and difficult to plan for with changes to the remand system having possible financial implications on Local Authorities, particular reference being made to the intermittent use of services resulting in higher operational costs for the service provider.

- Details of accommodation provision and related budgetary implications were outlined by the Head of Children and Family Services.  In reply to a question from the Chair, the officers outlined the procedures in place to ensure the safety of children in custody and to prevent instances of self harm.

 

Following a brief discussion, it was:-

 

RESOLVED – that the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee receive and note the Conwy and Denbighshire Strategic Youth Justice Plan review for 2012 / 2013.