Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2023
Remands
Between April 2020 and March 2023 8 different young people have been remanded in Gateshead showing a low use of remand in the period. Those that were remanded either had a prolific offending history, had committed serious offences, or posed potential risk to others. All eight young people remanded over the three years where male, white and aged 14-18 at the time of their court proceedings and went on to receive lengthy custodial sentences.
Age when remanded | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 |
|---|---|---|---|
14 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
17 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
18 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Totals | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Main Offence Type | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Breach of a Statutory Order | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Motoring Offences | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Violence Against the Person | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Totals | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
Constructive resettlement
The recent HMIP inspection recommended that "evaluation and review of resettlement provision is needed to understand if the partnership response to children in custody is meeting their needs. Routine analysis will provide evidence to shape and inform future service delivery." There is a resettlement policy in place, but HMIP suggested that "further work is needed to clearly articulate how to meet all resettlement needs in practice. To promote consistency, guidance needs to capture the roles and responsibilities of the partnership and how services will work collaboratively to address resettlement." As a result of this the resettlement policy and provision is being reviewed to ensure that provision and practice consistently meets children's needs.
Gateshead Youth Justice Board is responsible for ensuring that the approach to custody, resettlement and transitions is evidenced based as well as ensuring that suitable and timely accommodation provision is available for all children leaving custody along with young people having equitable access to services. The Gateshead Youth Justice Board is aware of young people sentenced to custody and their individual circumstances and needs. The board provide support to address any structural barriers that may exist for young people getting back into Education Training or Employment on release and to have access to suitable accommodation.
Gateshead YJS resettlement policy is being reviewed to ensure it provides the detailed framework for this area of work, outlining the service expectations in relation to children and young people serving custodial sentences, remanded to youth detention accommodation and for those leaving custody and resettling back into their communities, including clear guidance and expectations around what support young people should expect from the service and partners.
Developing a pro-social identity, forming positive supportive networks, and addressing relationships are key in terms of supporting an effective Resettlement (Beyond Youth Custody, 2014). The approach adopted by Gateshead Youth Justice Service supports the perspective that young people serving custodial sentences must receive an effective, endto end service provision based on a thorough assessment of need and risk, to reintegrate them into the community. We recognise that in order to achieve this, partnership working, alongside the participation and engagement of young people and their families, is essential for Resettlement (Beyond Youth Custody, 2014).
Every young person in custody is offered a safeguarding visit by a manager to capture the views of young people, to ensure there are no concerns about their care and that they understand their rights.