Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2023
Foreword
As chair of the Gateshead Youth Justice Board, I am both pleased and proud to be able to present this Youth Justice Plan, which articulates the approach the partnership will take, to support children, young people and their parents / carers to maximise their life chances away from the formal Criminal Justice System. Our overarching shared vision is to make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives and our Gateshead Youth Justice Board has pledged to ensure a child centred approach, recognising the needs and rights of every young person and their potential to make a constructive, positive change and engage with their community.
The annual Youth Justice Plan is a requirement of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. This plan is owned by Gateshead Youth Justice Board and has been formulated following development opportunities involving both the YJS and Board members. Consultation and engagement regarding the contents of the plan has been undertaken with a wide range of different people including children and young people, their families, staff, volunteers and partner agencies.
In the past 12 months Gateshead Youth Justice Service has continued to work with young people and their families to reduce offending by engaging with them in innovative and creative ways and delivering appropriate interventions to meet their needs. The introduction of new preventative initiatives such as Turnaround and Divert supports our ambition to intervene earlier and reduce the number of young people formally entering the Criminal Justice System.
Gateshead Youth Justice Service was inspected by HMIP in February 2023, HMIP rated the service "Good" overall.
The Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: "This is a much-deserved 'Good' rating for Gateshead Youth Justice Service - they are a credit to the local community and to Tyne and Wear. They are successfully preventing children being involved in reoffending, often going above and beyond to support each child and give them every chance of a brighter future."
HMIP commented on the "staff team being committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and families. There is a strong connection between the board and wider service, and practitioners feel heard and valued. The partnership is invested in and advocates for the YJS. We saw effective collaboration between the YJS and the police, children's social care, and the probation service".
There were a number of recommendations following the inspection which have been incorporated into this Youth Justice Plan.
I would like to thank the staff of the Youth Justice Service and all our partners, on behalf of the Youth Justice Management Board, for their ongoing resilience and passion in delivering child centred and effective interventions for young people, families, and victims.
Helen Fergusson - Chair - Youth Justice Board
About our Youth Justice Service
The Youth Justice Service is positioned within Gateshead Council's Children's Social Care and Lifelong learning Directorate. This has facilitated strong working relationships with education colleagues, early help and safeguarding teams including Contextual Safeguarding and those supporting Children in Our Care.