Agenda item - Youth Justice Strategy

Report of the Executive Director, Families, Children & Learning (copy attached)

Contact Officer: Anna Gianfrancesco                    Tel: 01273 296169

Ward(s) Affected: All Wards

34.1    RESOLVED: That the Committee approved the Youth Justice Strategy for Brighton and Hove 2016/17

34.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Families, Children & Learning regarding the Youth Justice Strategy for Brighton and Hove for 2016/17. The report was introduced by the Head of Youth Offending Service.

34.2    In response to a question from Councillor Daniel, the Head of Youth Offending Service said that the reduction in young women in the youth justice system had been achieved by targeting all those at risk of re-offending, not just those who were Looked After Children which had previously been the priority.

34.3    In response to a question from Mr Jones, the Head of Youth Offending Service said that drugs were an issue in schools, and where possible problems were addressed before any offences were committed. This was achieved through a number of ways such as providing information and support through ru-ok and the Youth Offending Service, and through working with the police and passing on information from young people who may not wish to contact authorities themselves.

34.3    In response to a question from Councillor Brown, the Head of Youth Offending Service said that it was recognised that there was a disproportionate ratio of male and female volunteers. A male support worker had recently started, and the service was also looking to recruit more people from BME backgrounds.

34.5    In response to questions from Councillor Miller the Head of Youth Offending Service said that the average remand period had increased from 27 ‘bed nights’ to 67, because two children had been remanded for a significant length of time. Both those children had cases in the Crown Court. That court tended to take longer to process cases, which in turn led to a longer stay in remand. With regard to those ‘Never in LAC’, there were some children who became Looked After Children following their involvement with the criminal justice system.

34.6    RESOLVED: That the Committee approved the Youth Justice Strategy for Brighton and Hove for 2016/17