Southampton Youth Justice Strategic Plan

Actions

We worked with the police to agree and implement a triage pilot for youth cases in the city. YOS and police managers now meet on a weekly basis to discuss the best ways to address offending by children and young people who have committed low level crime. A number of YOS officers now regularly attend Southampton Central police station to start working with young people swiftly, after they have been dealt with by the police.

With funding from the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner and support from Southampton University, the YOS developed its ‘Take a Risk?’ programme; designed to reduce risk taking behaviour and increase victim empathy.

The YOS works with partners from Southampton University Hospital Trust, HM Prison Service, Rewind ex-offenders project and Headway acquired brain injury charity to deliver sessions to young people.

Outcomes

7% reduction in First Time Entrants by the end of 2013.

77 young people attended victim impact and risk-taking behaviour sessions over a 12-month period.

The re-offending rate of a sample of young people who attended has been tracked and the results show a favourable impact upon their offending behaviour.

The Youth Justice Board have identified the programme as ‘emerging’ effective practice.

Actions

The YOS successfully contributed to the Families Matter programme; working with families who have some of the highest needs in the city.

The YOS developed its restorative justice strategy; with a specific focus this year on young people serving custodial sentences; alongside developing its early intervention work.

The Priority Young People scheme, for high risk offenders, was launched successfully and progress reviewed at the end of the reporting year.

Outcomes

The YOS exceeded its annual target to work with 51 families; offering support to 62 families over the year.

The YOS supported 122 victims of crime in 2013 to 2014.

A second group of social work students from Solent University volunteered to support the delivery of restorative interventions.

There was a 58% reduction in the number of offences committed by the 29 young people identified.

Actions

Work with the Southampton magistrates and continued quality assurance work contributed to a further reduction in custodial sentences. A bail support officer was recruited to work with young people at risk of remand.

The YOS worked with local partners including Children and Families, housing and training providers to sign a local partnership agreement to support a robust approach to the resettlement needs of young people leaving custody.

Outcomes

There was a 30% reduction in custodial sentences over the reporting period.

The Youth Justice Board has identified the work as ‘emerging’ effective practice.

Actions

The YOS completed the inspection improvement plan developed in 2013 and also participated in a Local Government Association Peer Review of Community Safety and Youth Offending, which found that:

• The multi-agency team are highly motivated and partners were pulling their weight
• There is an increasing recognition of effective risk management
• Good quality data is available to underpin service development
• A quality assurance framework is in place
• The YOS is correctly positioned as part of council’s safeguarding function

The YOS worked with partners to develop its education panel; which has the remit of improving education, training and employment outcomes for young people.

Supported by Artswork and the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner; the YOS further developed its accredited arts programme.

Outcomes

The Youth Offending Service Management Board was refreshed; with new partners joining and a robust schedule of work agreed to continue improvements in local Youth Justice Provision.

The number of re-offences committed by Southampton young people has reduced by 12% over two years.

Education, Training and Employment engagement increased by 10% in 2013 to 14.

Six young people completed Bronze Arts Awards. The programme achieved Artsmark status and was identified by the Youth Justice Board as ‘emerging’ effective practice.

Actions

The YOS will further develop its triage work with police. Referrals into the Families Matter programme will be made directly from our Joint Decision Making Panel; ensuring robust interventions for young people and families who need the most help.

The YOS will ensure that its prevention work is robustly integrated with the Southampton Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and the Early Help 5-19 service.

The YOS will promote opportunities for Restorative Practice in Southampton.

Outcomes

Reduction to of First Time Entrants to under 460 young people per 100,000 young people aged 10 to 17 years over three years.

Young people and families will be able to access effective support as easily as possible; to support the best outcomes.

The YOS will work with Southampton City Council, the police, local schools and other partners to explore ways that Restorative Practice can support prevention and inclusion work in the city.

Actions

The YOS will continue to work closely with the Youth Justice Board to analyse local reoffending data and implement its reducing re-offending plan.

The service Restorative Justice strategy will continue to develop; with specialist training for YOS staff.

The YOS will work with the statutory and voluntary sectors implement a plan to prevent serious youth crime.

Outcomes

The youth re-offending rate will reduce to 35% over three years.

Victims of crime; across all areas of youth justice work; will be offered support and the opportunity to participate in Restorative Justice interventions.

Instance of young people becoming involved in serious violence or drug related crime will remain low and reduce further.

Actions

Youth Court Magistrates will become key partners at the YOS Management Board. There will be increased scrutiny of sentencing recommendations for youths at risk of custody.

The service will recruit a greater number of qualified staff and implement a new training and development package for the entire team.

Outcomes

Custodial sentences will reduce to nine per year by 2017.

Supervision of young people will be of consistently high quality and robust, to meet the needs of young offenders in the city.

Actions

The Youth Offending Service will contribute to and benefit from the Southampton Employment, Skills and Learning Partnership.

The education, training and employment pathway for young people involved with the YOS will develop; with increased opportunities for engagement. More ex-offenders will access accredited provision, traineeships and apprenticeships.

Outcomes

Education, Training and Employment engagement will increase by 10%, per year, for three years.

More ex-offenders will access accredited provision, traineeships and apprenticeships