Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2023

National Standards audit findings

Gateshead Youth Justice Service demonstrates good compliance with the National Standards in all five domains. There was significant evidence of young people and families being involved with the assessment, planning, and interventions. There was evidence throughout the standards of good relationships being built with young people, their family and case managers.

National Standard 1 - Out of Court Disposals

Out of Court Disposal assessments were completed in all cases. They were timely, accurate, suitable and a sufficient assessment of risk for all children referred to the Service. HMIP commented that assessments were well informed; practitioners had liaised with other services and used this information as part of their analysis. Practitioners were skilled at developing balanced assessments, drawing out strengths and protective factors as well as exploring areas of concern. Interventions plans were appropriate, met the needs of the child and addressed their offending behaviour. Delivery of interventions was evidenced, and case managers had worked in creative ways to meet the needs of the young person. Reviews were completed in a timely manner and were of good quality.

National Standard 2 - At Court

Gateshead Youth Justice Service ensures the attendance of a case manager at all Youth hearings within the magistrates and Crown Courts. Young people are contacted by the service prior to going to court and are offered an opportunity to attend the court building in advance to try and reduce anxiety. Reports are completed when requested and are subject to a rigorous quality improvement process.  All interactions with young people and their parents are recorded on the case management system.

National Standard 3 - In the Community

Intervention commences quickly after the initial Referral Order panel meeting or Court sentence. There is evidence of the Voice of the Child in assessments, intervention plans and reviews. Assessments are completed in time scales and have been quality assured. Intervention plans met the young peoples needs and the quality of contingency planning has improved. There was evidence of strong professional relationships which ensured joint planning and delivery of services to young people.

All identified victims of youth crime are contacted by our Restorative justice practitioner and offered an opportunity to share their views and offered an opportunity to participate in a restorative intervention. Victims needs and those of the young person are both carefully considered when determining the intervention plan. Victims of youth crime are kept informed of the young person's progress if this is requested. The Restorative Practitioner attends the Out of Court Disposal panel to ensure the voice of the victim is heard.

National Standard 4 - In Secure Settings

All documentation was sent to the YJS via connectivity and in a timely matter. There is evidence of good communication between the secure setting and Gateshead Youth Justice Service. Planning for release was evidence throughout the custodial phase of the sentence, this was demonstrated in the initial planning meeting and at each review. HMIP found that YJS practitioners are skilled at developing meaningful relationships with the children and their parents or carers and they found proactive efforts to maintain contact with children in custody and provide support for families who were visiting.

Resettlement work needs to be a priority for 2023/2024, HMIP recommended that Gateshead YJS need to promote consistency and guidance needs to capture the roles and responsibilities of the partnership and how services will work collaboratively to address resettlement. There were examples of effective resettlement work, however, this was not consistent for education, training, and employment and for accommodation.

HMIP felt that evaluation and review of resettlement provision was needed to understand if the partnership response to children in custody is meeting their needs. Routine analysis would provide evidence to shape and inform future service delivery.

National Standard 5 - On Transitions

The transitions element of the audit was completed on eligible cases.  Gateshead Youth Justice Service has a transitions policy in place with Probation for young people nearing their 18th birthday, in each case the young people were discussed with the Probation Service and a tailored plan was made which took accounts of various factors including desistance.  Where young people have had transitions during an intervention there has been support provided by Gateshead Youth justice Service, this is evident in the case diaries due to the proactive way practitioners work with young people.