AT A MEETING of the COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on Wednesday, 19 June 2002.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor Mrs. P.G. Peskett

Southampton City Council

Councillor R.W. Harris (Chairman)

Councillor V. Moore

Isle of Wight Council

Councillor C.R. Hancock

Probation Board

Dermot Boyle

Mrs. A.F. Valentine (Vice-Chairman)

Also in attendance:

P.J. Sutton - Manager, Wessex Youth Offending Team (YOT)

J. Holland - Assistant Chief Officer, National Probation Service, Hampshire

Chief Inspector M. Dulson - Hampshire Constabulary

Mrs P. Robinson - Social Services, Portsmouth City Council

Mrs C. Tozer - Social Services, Southampton City Council

J.A. Doyle - Social Services, Isle of Wight Council

G.W. Wright - Social Services, Hampshire County Council

Mrs S. George - On Track Children's Fund, Portsmouth City Council

Mrs M. Currie - Supporting People, Children and Families, Hampshire County Council

Apologies received:

Councillor Mrs M. Snaith - Hampshire Constabulary

Councillor Mrs Nicke Bentley - Portsmouth City Council

Councillor T. Blair - Portsmouth City Council

Mrs S. Crocker, JP - Youth Court Chairman (Isle of Wight)

Mrs R. Behan, JP - Youth Court Chairman (South and South-East)

Mrs M. Bowden, JP - Youth Court Chairman (South and South-East)

Mr J. Black - Hampshire Magistrates' Committee

Mr R. Faulkner - Education Department, Isle of Wight Council

17 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chairman welcomed Councillor V. Moore to her first meeting of the Committee and advised that Phil Sutton, the Wessex YOT Manager, would be pleased to arrange an informal induction with any new members on the Committee. The Chairman also reported that the next meeting of the Committee to be held on Wednesday 25 September 2002 would be held at Portsmouth City Council offices in Committee Room A.

18 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 27 March, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising thereon:

Minute 9 (Minute 2) - City of Portsmouth - the Work of the YOT and other Youth Crime Initiatives

The Chairman confirmed that he had received a letter from the Home Office and that a copy of the response had been circulated with the agenda papers.

Minute 12 - Youth Justice Plan 2002-05

The Wessex YOT Manager advised that a copy of the letter from the Youth Justice Board had been circulated with the agenda papers and that the Wessex plan had been commended. He reported that of the 154 Youth Justice Plan, 28% had been commended, 65% had been given a satisfactory grade and 7% had been revised. An update report on the workings of the new Youth Offender Panels would be submitted to the September meeting.

Minute 14 - The use of custodial sentences and the secure estate for young offenders -

It was noted that a report detailing the variation in sentencing patterns between the four Youth Court areas and in particular as they affect young offenders from different ethnic minority backgrounds would be submitted to the Committee in September.

Minute 16 - Arrangements for the Annual Conference

It was noted that the Annual Conference would commence at 1.00 p.m. on Monday 1 July 2002 at Netley Police Headquarters.

19 WESSEX YOUTH OFFENDING TEAM : OPERATIONAL AND VALUE FOR MONEY REVIEW

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex Youth Offending Team Manager (Item 2 in the Minute Book) detailing progress on the operational and value for money review. The Committee also received a detailed presentation from Ian Diamant of Quality Resource Management. The review considered all aspects of Wessex YOTs including:

· Governance


· Finance - value for money - agency contribution


· Outcomes


· Quality


· Staff mix


It was noted that the company would report again to Committee in September with its findings and recommendations. The review process would be overseen by a small steering group representing Chief Officers and by an independent person, Mr David Basson.

RESOLVED:


(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That a further report be submitted to the Committee in September 2002 detailing the findings of the review.

19 SUPPORTING PEOPLE AND THE ACCOMMODATION NEEDS OF YOUNG OFFENDERS

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex Youth Offending Team Manager (Item 3 in the Minute Book) about youth homelessness and its impact on youth crime. The Committee also received a detailed presentation from Morag Currie, Hampshire Social Services Department, Children and Families Supporting People Co-ordinator. The presentation covered the following points.

· What is supporting people?


· What are the implications for young people under 18?


· The accommodation needs of young offenders.


· YOT activity to meet accommodation needs.

RESOLVED:


(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That a further report and progress towards the national targets as part of the review of the Youth Justice Plan in Spring 2003 be noted.

20 YOUNG PEOPLES' SUBSTANCE MISUSE PLANS

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex Youth Offending Team Manager (Item 4 in the Minute Book) detailing the written plans which set out proposals for tackling substance misuse among children and young people. The Committee also received a presentation from Sue Wilks and Julia Hender, Drug Action Team Co-ordinators for Hampshire and Southampton respectively. The presentation included:

· What are Drug Action Teams, their roles and responsibilities?


· What is the Young Peoples' Substance Misuse Plan?


· What are the links between youth crime and substance misuse?


· What are the links between the Drug Action Teams, Young Peoples' Misuse Plan and the Wessex Youth Justice Plan?


In considering the report the Committee raised concerns about future funding and its implication for trained workers.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

21 THE CHILDREN'S FUND

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex Youth Offending Team Manager (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing the Central Government initiative aimed at children across England and Wales. The Committee also received a detailed presentation from Sharon George, on behalf of the Children's Fund Manager, Portsmouth. The presentation concentrated on the facts and figures relating to On Track and Inter-Agency work in Paulsgrove and Wymering.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

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