City of York Council (Logo)

Meeting:

Executive

Meeting date:

12/10/2023

Report of:

York Youth Justice Service

Portfolio of:

Children’s Services


Decision Report: Consideration of York Youth Justice Service Plan


Subject of the report:

 

This report regarding the Youth Justice Plan is brought before Members for consideration and to seek approval. Guidance for the plan is as follows:

1.   Local authorities have a statutory duty to submit an annual Youth Justice Plan relating to their provision of Youth Justice Services. Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 sets out the Youth Justice partnership’s responsibilities in producing a plan. It states that it is the duty of each Local Authority, after consultation with their partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual Youth Justice Plan. The Plan should set out how Youth Justice Services in their area are to be provided and funded, how they will operate, and what functions will be carried out.

2.   The plan addresses the functions assigned to the Youth Justice Service and outlines how the service aims to prevent offending behaviour and reduce reoffending.

3.   The plan is required to outline how the service takes a strengths-based approach towards delivering a Child First justice system, as outlined by the Youth Justice Board.

4.   Annual Youth Justice Plans are an opportunity to review performance and developments over a single year period and plan for the next year. This allows services to be able to respond to any changes that have taken place in the previous year, including new legislation, demographic changes, delivery of key performance indicators, and developments in service delivery. The planning and production of a Youth Justice Plan is beneficial to partnership working and service delivery to ensure the best outcomes for children.

5.   council in accordance with Regulation 4 of the ‘Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000’. 

6.     There are not any foreseeable issues with submission of this plan once it has been agreed. The Youth Justice Service require agreement at the soonest opportunity to ensure the Youth Justice Board can publicise the plan for York.

 

Benefits and Challenges

 

7.     The Youth Justice Service cannot see any key risks with agreement of the plan. The service is required to compile a plan yearly, in line with the specific guidance set out by the Youth Justice Board. The plan has met these requirements. The benefits of agreeing the plan endorses the partnership vision, activity and allows the service to move forward with submission to the Youth Justice Board. The plan is a requirement of the Youth Justice Board annual grant to the service.

 

Policy Basis for Decision

 

8.           The plan is set out in a format that ensures compliance with the Council Plan, strategies and executive policies as highlighted in Section 1 – City of York Council Vision. When considering the administrations manifesto pledges, it considers affordability as all financial implications are included in Section 15 Appendix 2. Section 11 highlights equalities and human rights and health is a strand that runs throughout the plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Strategy Implications

 

Agency

Staffing Costs

Payments in kind

Other delegated funds

Total

 

Youth Justice Board

216,721

 

75,570

292,291

 

Local Authority

176,192

41,563

61,438

279,193

 

Police

 

48,277

 

48,277

 

Police and Crime Commissioner

66,982

 

23,356

90,338

 

Probation

3,707

17,171

1,293

22,171

 

Health

26,940

47,865

9,394

84,199

 

Welsh Government

 

 

 

0

 

Other

 

3,333

 

3,333

 

Total

490,542

158,209

171,051

819,802

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.           The budget costs and contributions are shown for 2023, the funding for 2023/2024 has increased by 4.5% from the Youth Justice Board and now equates to £305,444.

 

Recommendation and Reasons

 

10.        The Youth Justice Service recommend that this plan is accepted so we may progress to have full agreement by the Local Authority and secure the Youth Justice Board funding for the financial year.

 

Background

 

11.        The report has been brought to the meeting today for agreement to the Youth Justice Plan. The Youth Justice Board request a plan from all Youth Justice Services on an annual basis. The plan has previously been signed off at YJS Management Board level, who have had sight of the content and it has been amended at their request. The Management Board agree that the plan is fit for purpose and represents the work of the Youth Justice Service, who are accountable to the Management Board.

 

Consultation Analysis

 

12.        The Youth Justice Service plan has been before the Youth Justice Service Management Board and members of the board have given input to the plan. The Youth Justice Service Management Board have agreed the plan.

 


Options Analysis and Evidential Basis

 

13.        The Youth Justice Plan may be signed off by members, or amendments made if requested.


Organisational Impact and Implications

 

14.         

·                    Financial – There is no financial impact of the plan itself. The Youth Justice Service is a partnership arrangement and the financial contributions are agreed and monitored by the Youth Justice Management Board. These are set out in section 9 of the report.

·                    Human Resources (HR) – There are no HR implications.

·                    Legal – There are no legal implications other than the need for the Local Authority to submit an annual Youth Justice Plan relating to their provision of Youth Justice Services.

·                    Procurement – There are no procurement implications.

·                    Health and Wellbeing – The health and well-being of children and their families is embedded throughout the plan with over-arching aim to work with partners to support some of the most vulnerable children to reduce offending, preventing re-offending and overall improving outcomes. Key public health partnership groups such as the York Drug and Alcohol Partnership and the York Domestic Abuse Local Partnership have representation from Youth Justice services.

·                    Environment and Climate action – There are no implications in terms of environment and climate action.

·                    Affordability – No Implications.

·                    Equalities and Human Rights – The Equality Impact Assessment is attached.

·                    Data Protection and Privacy - Data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) are an essential part of our accountability obligations and is a legal requirement for any type of processing under UK GDPR.  Failure to carry out a DPIA when required may leave the council open to enforcement action, including monetary penalties or fines. DPIAs helps us to assess and demonstrate how we comply with all of our data protection obligations.  It does not have to eradicate all risks but should help to minimise and determine whether the level of risk is acceptable in the circumstances, considering the benefits of what the council wants to achieve. As there is no personal data, special categories of personal data or criminal offence data being processed to inform the York Youth Justice Service Plan, there is no requirement to complete a DPIA.   This is evidenced by completion of DPIA screening questions. 

·                    Communications – Should the Youth Justice Plan be approved it will need to be submitted to the Youth Justice Board and publicised by the Local Authority. 

·                    Economy – There are no implications however, not having a clear vision and plan in relation to reduce offending and re-offending has a wider impact on the economy over time.


Risks and Mitigations

 

15.        The Youth Justice Service plan is created on an annual basis by the strategic partnership group. The plan sets out the vision and focus of the service. Without a clear plan there is a risk of lack of agreed partnership priorities and direction.

 

Wards Impacted

 

16.        The Youth Justice Service works across all Wards in the City and the Youth Justice Plan is relevant to all.

 

 

Contact details

 

For further information please contact the authors of this Decision Report.


Background papers


Annexes

 

All annexes to the Decision Report must be listed.

·        Background paper: Youth Justice Service Plan – Annex A

·        Background paper: Conditions of Grant – Annex B

·        Background paper: Youth Justice Board – YJS plan guidance

 

Contact details

 

For further information please contact the authors of this Decision Report.

 

 

Author

 

 

Name:

Sara Orton

Job Title:

York Youth Justice Service Manager

Service Area:

Children’s Services

Telephone:

07888 107889

Report approved:

Yes/No

Date:

24/08/2023