NOTES of the COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE held at Netley Police Headquarters on Tuesday 1 July 2003.

(THIS MEETING WAS INQUORATE)

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor Mrs. P.G. Peskett

Councillor Mrs. E.M.F. Randall

Southampton City Council

Councillor R.W. Harris (Chairman)

Councillor V. Moore

Probation Board

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

D. Boyle

Co-opted Youth Court Chairman

Mrs D.M. Evans, JP

Mrs M. Bowden, JP

Mrs R. Behan, JP

Also in attendance:

P.J. Sutton - Head of Youth Offending Services

I. Langley - Wessex YOT

Chief Inspector M. Dulson - Hampshire Constabulary

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

J. Doyle - Social Services, Isle of Wight Council

Mrs P. Robinson - Social Services, Portsmouth City Council

Apologies:

Councillor R.J. Baulk - Hampshire County Council

Councillor Miss H.L. Humby - Isle of Wight Council

Councillor L. Stevens - Portsmouth City Council

B. Lipscomb - Hampshire Strategic Health Authority

Mrs C. Tozer - Social Services, Southampton City Council

I. Piper - Primary Care Trust

1 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 26 March 2003, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising thereon:

Minute 1 (Minute 6) - Annual update of the 2002-05 Youth Justice Plan

The Chairman informed the Group that a response had been received from the Youth Justice Board and a copy was circulated with the agenda papers. The Head of Youth Offending Services reported that the situation had improved a little since the letter had been forwarded to the Youth Justice Board. However, the Committee still expressed concerns about facilities available to young adults between the ages of 18 to 21 held in secure estate. It was therefore suggested that the Head of Youth Offending Services investigate these concerns and if appropriate, write to the Home Office to clarify the current situation.

Minute 3 - 2003/04 update of the 3 year Youth Justice Plan

The Head of Youth Offending Services reported that a special Working Party had been established to look into funding beyond 2004. The Working Group consisted of senior managers from the partner agencies, and its primary purpose would be to direct resources according to need.

2 EFFECTIVE PRACTICE IN THE YOUTH JUSTICE SYSTEM

The Group considered a report of the Head of Youth Offending Services (Item 4 in the Minute Book) updating members on the implementation of the effective practice monitoring and inspection regime for the Youth Offending Teams.

The Group considered the report in detail, and in particular discussed the effectiveness of parenting orders. The Youth Court Chairmen were of the opinion that parenting orders were not being used as widely as intended and that this should be investigated in more detail.

The Group noted the report and requested that a progress report on the implementation of action plans prior to their submission to the Youth Justice Board in Spring 2004 be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

3 MONITORING THE TREATMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS BY THE YOUTH JUSTICE SYSTEM

The Group considered a report of the Head of Youth Offending Services (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing monitoring data concerning the treatment of young people from black and ethnic minority groups by the Youth Justice system.

The Head of Youth Offending Services was pleased to report that there had been an improved level of awareness amongst staff in the YOT and the constabulary about the importance of accurate recording of ethnic origin. In particular, there had been a greater level of scrutiny of proposals made by members of the Team and their pre-sentence reports concerning young people from black and ethnic minority groups.

The Group welcomed the enhanced monitoring of data and suggested that the category entitled `black' should be renamed `ethnic minority' groups. It was also suggested that the percentage of ethnic minority group employed by the YOT be included in future monitoring reports.

The Group noted the monitoring report and requested he Head of Youth Offending Services to continue to monitor and report on the subject through the Annual Youth Justice Plan.