Agenda item

To receive an update on progress with the implementation of the recommendations of the Panel’s Review on Disproportionality within the Youth Justice System.                                                                     

Jennifer Sergeant, the Head of Targeted Response and Youth Justice reported on progress with the implementation of the recommendations of the Panel’s review on disproportionality within the youth justice system.  She stated that the issue was not unique to Haringey.  There were a large number of recommendations from the review and these were cross cutting in nature, requiring input from Early Help, the Police, regeneration and the NHS. 

She highlighted the following specific areas of progress:

·         Haringey had, using the disproportionality toolkit, recently submitted Haringey’s outcomes to the Youth Justice Board.  Disproportionality was now also embedded in the Youth Justice Service’s performance framework;  

·         Funding for the next year had been obtained by Mac UK to finance Project Future.  The economic impact of their work was being assessed by the London School of Economics;

·         A social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) pilot plan was being developed by the Council’s Early Help service, with the intention of it becoming part of their core offer to families;

·         The Schools Forum had a Black and Minority Ethnic Steering Group, which was addressing issues such as underachievement and the most effective use of the Pupil Premium; and

·         Discussions were taking place with Police colleagues regarding the setting up of a reverse mentoring scheme with young people for the borough.

Progress was being made across all of the areas covered by the review’s recommendations.  It was perhaps not quite as quick as would have been wished but the issues in question were system wide.  There might be a need to review how targets were measured so this could be done in a suitably robust manner.

In answer to a question regarding the recent publication of the Lammy Review, she stated that it had been welcome and the Council had contributed to it. It had referred specifically to youth justice and the need to intervene early and Haringey was well positioned to have conversations with law enforcement agencies regarding its implications.  In particular, issues regarding Police behaviour were being taken up locally. 

Eubert Malcolm, Head of Community Safety and Enforcement, reported that confidence in the Police in Haringey compared poorly with other London boroughs, with it rated 29^th out of 32.  The Community Safety Partnership were addressing this issue and the conclusions of the review tied in with this agenda.

Ms Sergeant reported that the Council was working with the Police and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to offer triage and diversion.  The CAMHS presence in Police stations was being increased and extended and funding to progress this had been received from the Ministry of Justice.  Triage was already well established and part of best practice.  It was possible that it might be moved the Early Help in due course.

In answer to question regarding the Gangs Matrix, Ms Sergeant stated that the boroughs had no control regarding who was on it.  There were currently three young people of below the age of 18 from Haringey on the Matrix and the youngest of these was 14, The view of Assistant Directors with responsibility for youth justice across London was that there should not be any children on it as they did not have the resources to be a gang member and were more likely to be being exploited.   They therefore wanted the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime (MOPAC) to revise the Matrix.  There needed to be a shift away for those under the age of 18 being considered primarily as criminals and for safeguarding issues to be given greater priority.   Councillor Ayisi, the Cabinet Member for Communities, reported that the Police had promised to look again at this issue.   There were particular concerns that people could appear on the Gangs Matrix merely through association.  If you were young and lived in certain areas of the borough, it was hard to avoid any association with individuals that were involved in gang activity.   Associating with such individuals did not equate to gang membership.  He agreed to feed back the concerns of the Panel regarding this issue. 

Concern was expressed by Panel Members that Police Borough Commanders only stayed in the borough for four years.  There was a view within the community that Haringey was viewed primarily as a source of useful experience for senior Police officers. 

Councillor Weston, the Cabinet Member for Children, reported that the Metropolitan Police were currently undertaking a review of their safeguarding processes.  There was a view that the age of criminal responsibility was currently too low.  Young people were at risk of exploitation from gangs and could, for instance, be used to sell drugs on their behalf.   A meeting had taken place between local authority representatives and the previous Minister responsible for these issues where concerns had been raised.  Representations could also be made to the Metropolitan Police regarding these issues.

The Cabinet Member for Communities reported that the Lammy Report into the had not uncovered any previously unknown issues but nevertheless provided hard evidence to support what was known already.  The strength of this gave the report real weight and some of the outcomes revealed were shocking.  There had still not been any response to it from the government and there was a lack of confidence that action would take place quickly.   The findings could nevertheless be used to challenge local partners.  The Panel noted that dialogue was taking place with the Borough Commander and the outcome of this could be reported back.

In answer to a question, Gareth Morgan, the Head of Early Help reported that a transition workshop had been arranged for a number of children who primary schools considered would find the transition to secondary school challenging.  Their progress was being tracked and there was up to six weeks support available for those that required it.  It was a pilot project and would be rolled out across the borough if successful.  78% of those attending were BAME and there was a 60/40 split between boys and girls. 

Deborah Tucker, Commissioner for Alternative Provision, reported that there was a BAME Steering Group that had been set up by the Cabinet Member for Children and Families which was focussing attention on improving the attainment levels of Black Caribbean boys.  They performed very well at Key Stage 1 and 2 but dipped from Key Stage 3 onwards.  Whilst exclusions from primary schools were low, they were a lot higher in secondary schools.  An offer of support was available to schools that had high levels of exclusions.  In addition, efforts were being made to move the focus of attention away from exclusions to a wider range of issues.   Consideration was also being given to ensuring alternative provision was of the highest quality. 

The Cabinet Member for Children and Families reported that consideration was being given to the BAME attainment gap and, as part of this, a transition toolkit was being developed.  This would include the recommendation that there be a named person in the senior management team of all schools with specific responsibility for these issues.  The aim was to develop a system wide approach to address this.  Secondary schools had been involved in the work that had been done.

In answer to a question, Mr Morgan reported that there were links between Family Support Workers and every school on the borough, irrespective of their status, as well as alternative provision.   This was part of the core offer from Early Help.  Underlying behavioural issues could be addressed and support provided for the whole family.

The Panel noted that the period of the evaluation by the London School of Economics of the work undertaken by Mac UK through Project Future had been extended due to additional grant funding for the facility being obtained.  It would look at the range of benefits that Project Future had provided for local young people and it was hoped that the evidence generated would strengthen the case for further funding.  The Cabinet Member for Communities commented that rehabilitation of offenders was very important and the work undertaken by facilities like Project Future was invaluable. 

In answer to a question, Ms Tucker reported that the TBACC had taken over the running of the boroughs Pupil Referral Unit following the failure of the previous provider.  There could be managed interventions for young people who had been found in possession of knives, including a weapons awareness programme.   The decision to permanently exclude was the responsibility of schools and exclusion was not essential. 

Mr Morgan reported that the establishment of borough’s Youth Council had been a success and improved engagement with young people.  It was now attracting more than 70 young people on a regular basis and was providing useful and well informed input on a range of issues.

Panel Members thanked officers and partners for their candour in responding to the report’s recommendations.  It was hoped that the Panel’s forthcoming review on restorative justice would also provide useful input on this issue.