Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director for Children’s Services.

The report provides a statutory annual plan that is required under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which sets out the Youth Offending Partnership’s responsibilities in producing this plan and states that it is the duty of each local authority, after consultation with the partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual youth justice plan.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to endorse the Youth Justice Plan for 2021/22.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith, 0161 474 4789,

Jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a statutory annual plan that is required under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which sets out the Youth Offending Partnership’s responsibilities in producing this plan and states that it is the duty of each local authority, after consultation with the partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual youth justice plan.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the report made reference to the knife crime awareness strategy programme “On the Edge” and at Tier One, the involvement of 5 and 6 year olds. In response, it was stated that it was not 5 and 6 year olds, but the current Years 5 and 6.

·         Clarification was sought relating to ongoing training programmes and supporting the young people. In response, it was noted that the team worked closely with “Mosaic” which involved interventions and screening done both by the team and “Mosaic”.

·         It was noted that the restorative justice was working well and the team were encouraged to keep up the good work.

·         It was commented that during the pandemic there were a number of different types of behaviours from young people e.g. anti-social behaviour and off road bike riding which resulted in additional funding to develop the youth work programme. It was also stated that Detached Youth Workers were back on the street following the funding to respond to these behaviours.

The Committee recognised the detail in the report and thanked Jacqui Belfield-Smith and her team for such a well written report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.