Agenda item

To report on the work of the Youth Offending Service with particular regard to the young people in the youth justice system, including outcome and performance measures, service user profile, types of intervention and restorative justice processes.

Gill Gibson, Assistant Director for Children’s (Quality Assurance, Early Help, and Prevention) reported that current performance levels for the Youth Offending Service were the best that had been recorded by the service since records began.  The number of first time entrants for Haringey for the third quarter of 2014 was both better than similar local authorities and the average for London.  37 young people from Haringey had been sentenced to a custodial sentence at quarter 3 of 2014.  This represented the lowest number of Haringey young people entering custody in a 12 month period since this measure had been collated.

The reoffending rate was 40.9 %, which was the lowest that it has been since 2011, representing a reduction of 6.3% in the last 12 months. The size of caseloads had been the most challenging area of performance to address but had recently seen a dramatic decrease.  However, the degree of complexity of cases had increased.  Work to prevent re-offending was undertaken through a range of interventions.  The focus was now on earlier intervention and there had been particular success with restorative justice. 

In answer to a question, Ms Gibson reported that the figures were taken from the most recent Police data and included statistics regarding all of those young people arrested within the borough.  However, it was possible that some young people might live in the borough and offend elsewhere. In respect of restorative justice, the Panel noted that it was a very structured process and required the consent of the victim. She agreed to find out if there was information available regarding the demography of young people who were arrested.  

Councillor Mark Blake reported that successful interventions had been undertaken by several schools within the borough.  Arrest rates had increased and this had been due to the fact that stop and search was not being used as widely as before.  He noted that 86% of gang members were from black and minority ethnic communities but that this had not been reflected in the case load of the Youth Offending Service.

The Panel noted that there had been an application for a free school to be established within the borough for young offenders who had been in prison. The aim was to give them the opportunity to gain qualifications and to support them in their efforts to keep out of trouble.  There was also a lot of diversionary work undertaken within the borough including, for example, the boxing academy. In answer to a question, Ms Gibson reported that there was also specific work aimed at young women and girls.  It was suggested that a briefing paper be provided for a future meeting of the Panel on diversionary activities. 

It was noted that the legal principle of joint enterprise could have serious consequences for young people and there was a lack of awareness amongst them regarding its implications.  How to get important messages like this across to young people was being considered as part of the work to develop the Young People’s Strategy. 

AGREED:

1.    That further information be requested on regarding the demography of young people coming to the attention of the Youth Offending Service; and

2.    That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Panel on diversionary activities for young people.