Issue - meetings

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

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

The Youth Justice Plan is a statutory annual plan that is required under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. It sets out the Youth Offending Partnership’s responsibilities in producing this plan. It 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 Youth Justice Plan must be submitted to the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for England and Wales and published in accordance with the directions of the Secretary of State.

The Cabinet is requested to endorse the report and recommend that the Council Meeting adopt the Youth Justice Plan.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith on 07800 617 569 or email: jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Youth Justice Plan 2024/2025 which outlined achievements against last years’ plan, priorities for the future and opportunities/ challenges for the forthcoming year.

RESOLVED – That the endorse Youth Justice Plan 2024/25 be endorsed  and that the Council Meeting be recommended to approve and adopt it.

To consider a report of the Executive Director People & Integration and Director of Children’s Services.

The report provides details relating to the Youth Justice Plan’s achievements against last year’s plan and outlines the priorities, opportunities, and challenges for the coming year.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and to endorse the report for submission to Cabinet.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith, jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Director People & Integration and Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the Youth Justice Plan’s achievements against last year’s plan and outlines the priorities, opportunities, and challenges for the coming year.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       It was noted that ‘Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder’ (FASD) had a disproportionate number of children who were open to the Youth Justice Service and known to have FASD and a lot of work was being done on ‘neuro-divergence with CAMHS and a mental health practitioner, including raising awareness and staff training.

·       Members requested that a FASD briefing paper be submitted to a future meeting and be included in the working programme going forward.

·       Clarification was sought on the ‘RTime (Youth) Network and how it worked and whether it would continue given that it was reliant on funding. In response, it was stated that targeted youth offers were a focus for young people who were at risk or on the periphery of being at risk and an approach was developed with third sector partners to deliver a ‘youth work offer’ which was then called “RTime” a name chosen by the young people themselves. Some National Lottery Funded was secured for three years with some additional funding for another three years, but there has been funding through community safety and other investment areas, but there was not a continuous fund for this.

·       Members enquired about the communication between the neighbourhood police and the Greater Manchester Police Intelligence Officer. In response, it was stated that there were the Youth Disorder Panels with neighbourhood police officers and a police officer attached to the Youth Justice Team and there were also daily governance meetings to discuss young people who had come to the attention of the teams. It was also noted that over the last 12 months cross border work had really developed.

·       It was noted that the ‘Community Projects and Activities’ were a good idea and information should be shared with the Committee about these local activities to keep members informed.

·       ‘Restorative Justice’ was welcomed as part of the report for young offenders to return to their communities and be given a chance to reflect and put things right.

·       Clarification was sought regarding the funding situation with ‘Remands’. In response it was noted that there was an allocation from the Ministry of Justice for only the children going through a young offenders institution, but the funding formula was currently being reviewed.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and endorsed for submission to Cabinet.

(2) That the Executive Director People & Integration and Director of Children’s Services be requested to submit a briefing paper relating to FASD to a future meeting and be included in the working programme going forward.