Agenda item

To update the Committee on the progress of the Blackpool Youth Justice Service Improvement Plan theme area of Children In Secure Accommodation.

Ms Sara McCartan, Head of Adolescent Service updated the Committee on the progress of the Blackpool Youth Justice Service Improvement Plan theme area of ‘Children in Secure Accommodation’. She explained that early in 2020 the Youth Justice Board had requested that all Youth Offending Teams complete a self-assessment based on the updated Standards for Children in Youth Justice Services (2019). Five self-assessments had been completed, one of which had focused on ‘In Secure Settings’. Ms McCartan summarised the findings of the self-assessment and subsequent audits and sought any questions from the Committee.

With regards to the cited concerns raised over children at the Secure Training Centre which had been visited by Ofsted, the Committee sought assurance around the interventions put in place by the Youth Custody Service to address the issues identified. Ms McCartan reported two custodial cases currently and advised that recent concerns were around Covid-19 related restrictions, with young people being detained in their rooms for long periods of time. She reported that this had been challenged by the Council to ensure that suitable provisions were in place during times of isolation due to the pandemic. The Committee requested that regular updates be provided in order that the situation could be monitored going forward. Committee Members noted the significant reduction in the use of custody and recognised the hard work of the Youth Offending Team for the progress made in this area.

The Committee welcomed the reported reduction of unnecessary court appearances for young people under 18 years of age and sought clarification around the greater use of community interventions which had been introduced as an alternative and asked how successful they were proving. Ms McCartan explained that a multi-agency panel had been established to identify a range of options tailored specifically to meet the needs of the young person and their family. She provided a number of examples of the interventions in place, such as wraparound support for the whole family aimed at diverting the young person away from their offending behaviour; a caution with conditions to include the writing of a letter of apology; or active community service with an element of restorative justice.

Further to the reported disproportionate number of our children who were open to the Youth Justice Service, the Committee sought details of the work that was underway to address the situation. Ms McCartan identified a coordination of service areas across the Council to raise awareness of any cases where our children had been identified as being at risk of offending and subsequent measures put in place to plan positive interventions following any resulting release from custody. She further highlighted work aimed at reducing criminalisation of our young people by encouraging alternatives to the reporting of anti-social behaviour immediately to the police. Ms Jeanette Richards, Interim Director of Children’s Services reported that the disproportionate number of our children known to the Youth Justice Service, whilst unacceptable, was an issue reflected nationally and as such more proactive care planning was underway to identify and address the holistic needs of our children with the aim of diverting them away from criminal activity. Ms Richards reiterated the need to influence wider partners, including the police, to provide appropriate support to our children.

The Committee agreed: To request regular updates in relation to the concerns raised around children at the cited Secure Training Centre.