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Agenda item

Update on the Youth Offending Service Improvement Plan

Minutes:

Liz Westund, Interim Head of Targeted Youth Support, presented the report to the Committee, which set out progress in implementing the Youth Offending Service Improvement Plan.

 

The following main points were noted in the discussion:

 

·         The Interim Head of Targeted Youth Support had been in post for five months and reported that the service improvements needed had the support of senior management. It was reported that few posts were now held by agency workers and staff morale had improved. A process of standardising officer pay had been introduced.

·         It was highlighted that the service still encountered problems with information management, as the introduction of a new assessment framework had identified gaps in the service’s data. Work was underway to resolve this issue. It was not thought that this had an impact on the quality of the service received by young people; however the ability of the service to evaluate progress was affected.

·         Following a query, it was explained that a new database had been introduced a few weeks before the previous inspection and the transfer of data had not been successful. It was suggested that staff needed a detailed understanding of the database to be able to use it effectively. This issue was being raised with other local authorities and the Youth Justice Board.

·         The service had reviewed its ethos and was focused towards engaging young people in a motivational way. Evidence suggested that this led to positive outcomes. The service was also prioritising restorative justice practices, reducing gang affiliation, and improving the integration of services.

·         Partnership work with the Police was a high priority and a service level agreement had been agreed.

·         A new protocol for applying for Criminal Behaviour Orders had been introduced to ensure that they were used appropriately and led to realistic outcomes. This had increased the credibility of the service with the Magistrates Court.

·         An internal audit of case work had recently found that 15 of 25 cases reviewed were rated as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. This was a considerable improvement on previous performance.

·         The Committee identified that several of the actions on the improvement plan requiring Police support were RAG rated Red. It was queried if there were any barriers to working with the Police. In response, it was advised that relationships with the Police had improved substantially, however progress on co-location was not being made at the pace intended. It was acknowledged that this was partly due to technical issues; however the matter had been raised with the Deputy Commissioner and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. The Committee suggested that the Borough Commander could be invited to a future meeting of the Committee.

·         Following a query, it was advised that the proposal to review the Intensive Support and Surveillance service had been agreed and it was hoped that this would have a positive impact.

·         It was advised that the effectiveness of exit plans was evaluated by tracking re-offending.

 

The Committee thanked Liz Westlund for her attendance.

 

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the updates to the Youth Offending Service Improvement Plan be noted;

(ii)           That the Youth Justice Services Management Board be asked to continue to oversee progress on the plan.

 

 

Supporting documents: