Council leaders are set to approve the Youth Justice Plan 2023/24 and have heard how stronger partnership working and links with the voluntary sector are working to reduce youth offending in the city.
The Youth Justice Plan sets out how youth justice services in the city are provided and funded as well as how they will operate.
The plan is a key part of the city council’s commitment to building empowered communities, safe from the threat of harm. The work of the Youth Offending Service reduces the fear of crime and reduces the number of victims, supporting communities to be, and feel, safer.
The Youth Offending Service has increased its joint work with partners, particularly local policing teams, the city council’s anti-social behaviour teams and wider Children’s Services. It’s also used Turnaround funding to develop work with the voluntary and community sector.
Since 2022, Stoke-on-Trent has seen the number and rate of children becoming a first-time entrant to the Youth Offending Service go down, with 71 children in 2023 (down from 81 in 2022). Reoffending rates in the city also remain relatively low compared with its Youth Offending Team family (this is a group of other Youth Offending Teams across the country with similar demographics).
The service also helps children and young people in the city, tackling inequalities and improving life chances for everyone. Children at risk of offending are often those who experience multiple disadvantages. By providing support to these young people the Youth Offending Service not only make communities safer but improve the life chances of children and families in the city, making sure they go on to thrive and make positive contributions to their communities.
Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services said: “It’s great to see that the work of the Youth Offending Service is seeing rates of first-time offenders come down. We recognise that there are still issues to solve and are committed to providing services that continue to bring down first-time and re-offending rates.
“We know that the children and young people that the Youth Offending Service works with are often vulnerable and that’s why we’re committed to supporting family life in the city, providing advice and services that we know are key to preventing anti-social and offending behaviour. This includes our Family Matters programme, especially the Youth Outreach grant opportunities that we recently advertised. These grants of up to £3,000 will help organisations deliver engaging activities for young people in the city aged 11-18.”
Stoke-on-Trent Children and Family Services has a clear vision for children and young people in the city and is committed to making sure that they are:
- Safe
- Healthy
- Achieving
- Nurtured
- Involved
- Prepared
To achieve these aims, the Stoke-on-Trent Youth Offending Service uses the guiding principles of the Child First approach. This recognises that: “All children need the support of adults to fulfil their potential and to become the best version of themselves”1
The city council is committed to working with its partners and communities to improve the lives of young people in the city. The shared aims of making sure young people are safe and able to thrive is reflected in the partnership working supporting the Youth Offending Service.
DCI Amy Martin- Child Public Protection Unit at Staffordshire Police said: “Staffordshire Police are committed to working with our partners in the youth offending service and adopting a child first approach to all children who find themselves in the criminal justice system.
“Our teams of youth offending officers and victim liaison officers are working across the city and county proactively to achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable children who come into contact with the criminal justice system.
“We have seen a positive reduction in reoffending and the use of out of court alternatives such as restorative justice, which speaks volumes for the excellence in service the partnership provide these young people and their families.”
- More articles in the news archive
- Stoke-on-Trent news RSS feed