Agenda item

(To receive a report from Andy Cook, Service Manager – Future 4Me/Youth Offending, which provides the Committee with an update of the impact and performance around the Joint Diversionary Panel following the report presented in September 2019)

The Chairman invited Andy Cook, Service Manager – Future4Me/Youth Offending to introduce the report which was detailed on pages 15 to 24 of the agenda pack.  The Committee noted that Stacey Waller, Practice Supervisor – Future4Me, Tony Pryce, JDP Coordinator and Superintendent Mark Kirwan from Lincolnshire Police were also in attendance for this item.

The Committee received background information as to why the Joint Diversionary Panel (JDP) had been established in 2017; and an update on the impact of the JDP on offending behaviour by children and young people, since September 2019, when the Committee had given consideration to an update report concerning the JDP.

It was reported that since September 2019, there had been a number of key developments, which had included the expansion of Core Panel Members to provide more specialist knowledge; the launch of the Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service (CJL&D); and the creation of a JDP leaflet for children and young people, which had been made available at Lincolnshire Police custody suites, which explained to children/young people and their families the JDP process and outcomes. 

The Committee noted that to date the Panel had dealt with 1183 youth cases, and that the average age of a young person being dealt with by the Panel was 15.5 years of age.  Page 8 of the report provided the Committee with details of the offences dealt with by the Panel from August 2018 to July 2020.  It was highlighted that there was a commitment from all Panel members to work with a child/young person to divert them where possible away from the formal criminal justice system. There was also recognition that a small percentage of young people would not engage with the outcome agreed at Panel; and that a small number of young people continued to be involved in offending, despite the restorative intervention offered.

The Committee was advised that Covid-19 had provided time for reflection on the Panel process.  The Committee was advised that weekly Panel meetings had been conducted by video conferencing, which had ensured that timely decisions had continued to be made.  The new ways of working had also provided opportunities for increased efficiency both in terms of travelling time and mileage costs for all partners involved in the Panel process.  It was highlighted that frontline staff had also worked innovatively to engage young people remotely.  Reassurance was given that all cases were risk assessed to determine whether face to face contact was needed.

The Committee noted that an evaluation of the JDP and Youth Restorative Intervention had been commissioned through The University of Lincoln.  It was reported that the research utilised different methodologies in its evaluation, details of the research methodologies were shown on page 18; and preliminary findings from case file analysis were shown on page 19 of the report pack.  It was noted further that the evaluation was still in progress; and therefore the Committee was invited to review and comment on the findings of the evaluation to date.

The report highlighted that the National data published by the Youth Justice Board indicated that the rate of first time entrants in Lincolnshire was 335 during January to December 2017.  The Committee noted that the latest 12 month figure stood at 106, which reflected a 68% decrease in the number of Lincolnshire young people entering the formal justice system.  Page 19 of the report pack provided the Committee with a graph which detailed the outcomes of the JDP from August 2018 to July 2020.  Appendix A to the report provided the Committee with examples of two JDP case studies to consider.

In conclusion, it was highlighted that the JDP continued to demonstrate the commitment of the key stakeholders to multi-agency decision making with regard to children and young people's offending behaviours.  The Panel ensured that there was an informed and proportionate response to behaviours, diverting young people away from and supporting them to avoid the longer term implications of acquiring a criminal conviction, where it was safe and appropriate to do so.

The Committee was advised that Lincolnshire Police was pleased with the process; and that working together had enabled a reduction in number of children and young people entering the criminal justice system.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:

·               JDP Leaflet – Confirmation was given that the leaflet was aimed for children/young people and their families to understand the JDP process and its potential outcomes.  It was highlighted that the leaflet was available in custody suites (point of entry for the children and young people).  It was highlighted further that there was the potential for a poster within the custody suite.  The Committee requested to see a copy of the said leaflet.  Officers confirmed that a copy would be made available for members of the Committee;

·               Case Studies – A question was asked as to how typical the case studies reported were.  The Committee was advised that the case studies were a good representation of the types of cases the JDP dealt with.  Case Study A provided a holistic approach to the young person and their family, and how all agencies worked together to provide a bespoke package; Case Study B was a young person with no previous offending, which after further investigation with all agencies it was realised the incident was an isolated case and an bespoke awareness package was put in place;

·               Some concern was expressed to the number of violence offences (228) reported.  The Committee was advised that an assault was considered as an act of violence.  The Committee noted that violent offences had to be at a threshold to be dealt with out of court.  Reassurance was given that serious violence would not be dealt with by the Panel;

·               A question was asked as to how much extra intervention was put in to achieve the outcome of achieving 68% reduction.  A further question was asked as to what happened to the 32% of young people who had not benefitted from the JDP.  The Committee was advised that Children's Services had invested time in completing the extra research, with intervention at the earliest stage of the proceedings; this then avoided costs further down the process as costs increased significantly when young people became part of the judicial system.  The JDP was seen as an 'invest to save initiative'  The Committee also noted that the JDP was an efficient use of police time; which had reduced the number of young people re-offending which had then reduced the amount of police time spent on re-offending incidents.  The JDP had in most cases had a positive effect on a young person, enabling them to be more productive and add value to society moving forward, with the absence of a criminal record;

·               Support for the victim – The Committee was reassured that the victim was at the heart of the process; and that all victims were engaged in the process; their views were sort; and they were advised of the outcome.  The Committee was also advised that Lincolnshire Police had a 'Victim first Campaign' and that there were extensive processes in place; and

·               Judiciary Support for the JDP.  The Committee was advised that positive comments had been received from the Courts; and in some incidents the Youth Court will defer a young person to the JDP.

The Committee agreed that a further report on the JDP should be received when the evaluation findings were complete.

The Chairman extended thanks to all representatives present at the meeting for their presentation.

RESOLVED

1.        That the impact of the Lincolnshire Joint Diversionary Panel on offending behaviour by children and young people, as presented in the report be received.

2.        That the initial findings from the evaluation of the JDP and Youth Restorative Interviews, as presented in the report be received; and that a further report be received by the Committee, once the evaluation process is complete.