Archived decisions

Contact: P. Sutton, Head of Youth Offending Services, Tel No 01962 876100

[email protected]

1. Introduction

1.1 The Committee agreed that, as a major part of its work-plan for 2003, it would scrutinise the audits of effective practice undertaken within the Youth Offending Team. This report sets out the background to Effective Practice in Youth Justice.

2. The National Requirement for Audits

2.1 The Youth Justice Board has identified Effective Practice as a key element in developing and improving youth justice services, based on best practice and research evidence. Consequently, the Youth Justice Board has published ten simple manuals, the `Key Elements of Effective Practice' on the following areas:

_ Assessment, Planning Interventions and Supervision*

_ Final Warning Interventions.*

_ Education, Training and Employment*

_ Offending Behaviour Programmes.

_ Young People who Sexually Abuse.

_ Restorative Justice.

_ Parenting.

_ Remand Management

_ Mentoring

_ Swift Administration.

A further five are planned for 2004. The Youth Justice Board have issued a rolling three year timetable for local audits of performance in relation to the ten Key Elements of Effective Practice to be undertaken. (Appendix A). The first three listed* are due to be undertaken by 1^st May 2003.

2.2 Within each manual, there is a quality assurance template, structured around 8 core areas which reflect all aspects of the service:

· Assessment

· Individual needs

· Communication

· Service delivery

· Training

· Management

· Service development

· Monitoring and evaluation

Youth Offending Teams have to undertake a self audit of these eight areas and then give themselves a rating for each based on the following.

Evidence Rating Scale

0	Little or no evidence of effective practice exists
1	Evidence of effective practice being followed, but in a minority of cases
2	Evidence of effective practice being followed in the majority of cases, but is not system-wide
3	Evidence of effective practice being followed consistently and systematically

Youth Offending Teams should develop Action Plans based on the findings/ratings of the audits.

3. Local Implementation

3.1 The Youth Offending Team's newly-appointed Performance and Information Manager will have the lead role in ensuring that managers and staff across the Wessex Youth Offending Team participate in and benefit from the experience of auditing the quality of the team's work. Appendix B. (attached) provides an example of a completed local audit of Assessment, Planning Interventions and Supervision.

4. The Role of the Youth Justice Board Regional Manager

4.1 Each Government Office Region of England now has a Regional Manager for Youth Justice, funded by the Youth Justice Board. The Regional Manager for the South East is Mary Geaney.

4.2 The Self Audits are submitted to the Youth Justice Board's Regional Manager, who will select some self audits for validation of the scores. The Regional Manager will visit the Youth Offending Team to review the supporting evidence and Action Plans with the Youth Offending Team Manager. (See Appendix C for flow chart from this point onwards). It is likely any Youth Offending Team scoring zero or one will be in this category, although a smaller selection of those scoring two or three will also be chosen.

4.3 Following their visit the Regional Manager will confirm or amend the Youth Offending Team's own rating. Should they amend the rating then they will put this in writing, although their decision is final. They will also agree the Action Plan with the Youth Offending Team Manager.

4.4 For those Youth Offending Teams where a low score of zero or one is confirmed, it is probable the Regional Manager will be able to access resources from Youth Justice Board appointed National Implementers to help Youth Offending Teams draw up and oversee Action Plans.

4.5 The Youth Justice Board's aim is for each Youth Offending Team to have an average of 2+ across all the Key Elements of Effective Practice.

5. The Role of the Committee in Support and Scrutiny

5.1 From the timetable of audits, Members will note that by the middle of June 2003, an action plan has to be agreed between the Youth Offending Team and the Youth Justice Board. The action plan will set out how any improvements in service delivery will be brought about, and will be reviewed after one year.

5.2 Members of this Committee will be invited to contribute to, and support, the implementation of these action plans, as they will, in many cases, make demands on the partner agencies. The audit of "Final Warning Interventions", and of "Education, Training and Employment", for example, may well suggest that the Police and Local Education Authorities make some changes to the ways in which they deal with young offenders.

6. Conclusion

It is recommended that the Committee:

i. Note the report into Effective Practice in the Youth Justice System.

ii. Request for its next meeting a report on the audits and action plans relating to:

a. Assessment, planning intervention and supervision.

b. Final warning intervention, and

c. Education training and employment.

P. Sutton

13.3.03

cyjc effective practice

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents:

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. The list schedules:

i. Published works.

ii. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

Key Elements of Effective Practice, Youth Justice Board, 2002