Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report details achievements against last year’s Youth Justice Plan and outline priorities for the forthcoming year.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Jacqui Belfield Smith on Tel: 474 2876 or email: Jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing achievements against last year’s Youth Justice Plan and outlining priorities for the forthcoming year.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Youth Offending Service (YOS) has realigned resources in order to meet service demand and requirements of wider public sector reform contributing to necessary efficiency savings and promoting best practice.

·         As part of the wider Integrated Children’s Services, the YOS has aligned local authority children’s services with the equivalent services in the Foundation Trust.

·         The number of first time entrants entering the youth justice system continues to fall. Councillors congratulated officers for the significant efforts over previous years which saw a fall from 649FTE’s in the year to June 2006 reducing to 55 FTE’s in the year to June 2014. In addition, the latest re-offending rate for Stockport was 35.2% compared with 36.1% a year ago.

·         Safeguarding of children and young people is integral to the work of the YOS. Strong links are in place with partners, particularly social care – all young people are screened as part of their assessment for vulnerability.

·         Councillors sought further information in respect to reoffending and whether there was a typical profile for a young person who reoffends regularly.

·         Significant concern remained in respect to domestic abuse issues within the borough. The YOS was working in partnership with RESPECT, a national voluntary organisation to address and work with families who experience adolescent to parent abuse. The YOS continued to work with young people experience domestic abuse in close relationships.

·         Methods utilised to identify work in the community as part of the restorative justice programme.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and officers be commended for the excellent work over the last year.