Issue - meetings

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

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) submitted the Youth Justice Plan for 2020/21 (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – That the Youth Justice Plan 2020/21 be approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & 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. Setting out:

·         How youth justice services in their area are to be provided and funded

·         How the Youth Justice Service (YOS) will be composed and funded, how it will operate, and what functions it will carry out.

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.

Cabinet is requested to endorse the report and recommend the Youth Justice Plan for adoption by the Council.

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

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the annual statutory plan that the council is required to adopt under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 setting out how youth justice services in Stockport are to be provided and funded; and how the Youth Justice Service will be composed and funded, how it will operate, and what functions it will carry out.

RESOLVED – That the Youth Justice Plan 2020/21 be endorsed and the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the Plan.

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

This report sets outs the achievements against last year’s plan and outlines the priorities, opportunities and challenges for the coming year.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider and comment on the report.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith, Service Lead, Youth Justice & Targeted Youth Support at jacqui.smith@stockport.gov.uk  (0161 474 4789).

The Director for Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the achievements against last year’s plan and outlined the priorities, opportunities and challenges for the coming year.

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:-

·         Clarification was sought regarding the reduction in the use of custodial sentences and how was it quantified. In response, it was noted that there was a requirement in the Ministry of Justice to report on custody and it was not an intention to send children to custody un-necessarily and the child who were currently in custody was due to the offences committed and for their own safety and that of the community.

·         It was noted that the Stockport Custody sentences was the lowest in the Greater Manchester area.

·         It was noted that as advocates for scrutiny and democracy it was important that the Partnership Board received input from victims and offenders relating to youth crime regarding the process and outcomes. In response, it was noted that a company called “Remedy” were commissioned and a victim support officer and restorative justice officer are now based fulltime within the team and following contact with every victim reports are provided to the Board. It was also noted that regarding the voice of the child and family,  “Coram Voice” was also commissioned to provide youth justice provisions and also reports to the Board. Children and families were also consulted but don’t want to sit on the Partnership Board so a Shadow Board has been created to listen to the voice of the children and families.

·         It was commented that the Committee should consider inviting representatives from the team and the Partnership Board to speak to the Committee about the programme and victims and to provide data relating to how effective the programmes were and the data regarding repeat offenders

·         It was noted that the team kept data and tracked the young offenders and were involved in ‘community resolution’ programmes and ‘out of court disposals’ (cautions), which encouraged intervention at an earlier stage and monitoring and reviewing cases to prevent repeat offenders.

·         Concern was expressed regarding young people in secure accommodation and the distance of HMP Wetherby that put a strain and had an emotional impact on families.

·         Clarification was sought on whether there was a medium or long term plan for a facility to be built closer. In response it was noted that not all the children were in HMP Wetherby as some were in secure training centres and others in secure children homes. It was also noted that the Chair of the Youth Justice Board requested that secure schools be created in the north, similar to secure children’s homes with smaller numbers. However, following a bid to Government on behalf of Greater Manchester, it was agreed to have a secure children’s home built in the south. Northern organisations continue to make representation to the Government regarding smaller and closer facilities.

·         It was commented that there should be a target to reduce the number of children in custody and it should be as low as possible.

·         It was noted that the ‘voice of the children in police custody’ and ‘one to one’ interviews were on hold during the summer lockdown as such what lessons have been learned from the lockdown period. In response it was noted that contact continued with children throughout lockdown in terms of risk, vulnerability, safety and wellbeing which resulted in being a bit more adaptable and being able to manage the children and their vulnerabilities better.

·         Clarification was sought relating to the “On the Edge” strategy and its impact and success. In response, it was noted that since January 2019 when the programme started it has been delivered to over 6,000 children across Stockport including a roll out to Year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4