Scrutiny Review of Reducing Re-Offending by Young People
(Report of the Scrutiny Review Panel) – To agree the conclusions and recommendations of the Review
Minutes:
Cllr Davies, the Chair of the Review Panel, introduced the report by giving thanks for the contribution of Sharon Miller and Jean Croot and all her team. The two main issues raised in the report were the involvement of schools in identifying potential problems and the effect of accommodation problems on the likelihood of re-offending.
The Committee discussed the report, and the issue of the role of the probation service was raised. It was commented that the service should play a full role, but due to a lack of backing at a national level it had withdrawn the funding it was providing for one member of staff and was instead offering funding directly to the Safer Communities Unit. It was noted that the Probation Service was currently concentrating resources on the National Offender Management System. The Committee requested that an additional recommendation be added to the report, requesting that the Executive Members for Crime and Community Safety and Children and Young People write to the Home Office to express concern over the funding of the Probation Service in London.
The issue of funding for youth workers was raised, and it was commented that there was funding from the Children’s Service and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, but that this had been cut as part of a national trend. It was noted that the Youth Service had greatly improved in the past 18 months, and the services in youth centres had greatly improved. The issue of mental health services helping prevention was raised, and it was commented that a psychologist conducting assessments within the team had not had his contract renewed.
RESOLVED:
i) That the report of the Reducing Re-Offending by Young People Scrutiny Review Panel and the conclusions and recommendations of the review be endorsed subject to the additional recommendation that the Executive Members for Crime and Community Safety and Children and Young People write to the Home Office to express concern over the funding of the Probation Service in London; and
ii) that the report be referred to the Executive for its consideration