The National Youth Agency - Positive Activities and Youth Justice Update

Positive Activities and Youth Justice Update – November/December 2008

4 Dec 2008
In this issue headlines include: CAMHS Review published; Numbers of young first-time entrants to the criminal justice system fall; Extra funding for weekend activities for young people; Young Muslim Advisory Group launched.

News

Also of interest...

CAMHS Review

The final CAMHS Review report has been published. It contains 20 recommendations for government including the establishment of a National Advisory Council to champion the importance of mental health and psychological well-being for children and young people. It also recommends a strengthened national support programme to include a multi-agency support team. The government have made an initial response to the review. DCSF - CAMHS review webpages >> DCSF press release >>

Shame of Britain's intolerance of children – Barnardo’s

A survey commissioned by children's charity Barnardo's suggests that more than half of the UK population believe children are beginning to ‘behave like animals’. The study, part of Barnardo’s ‘Children in Trouble’ campaign argues that society casually condemns all children. Barnardo’s has also produced a film to highlight the issue. Both the report and the film are available to download. Barnardo's press release >>

Ten thousand more young people have been diverted from a life of crime

The Youth Justice Board (YJB) has released figures that show the number of first-time entrants to the criminal justice system in England and Wales aged between 10 and 17 fell in 2007/8. The figures show that YJB and its partners have achieved a 10.2 per cent reduction in first-time entrants to the youth justice system in 2007/08 compared with 2005/06, exceeding the five per cent target. During the last financial year, 87,367 young people entered the system compared to 97,329 in 2005/06. YJB press release >>

Youth Inclusion Programme evaluation published

Over 25,000 children and young people in danger of falling into crime and anti-social behaviour have been reached by the Youth Inclusion Programme (YIP), according to a new YJB report. This is the second independent evaluation of the programme that aims to prevent crime and make communities safer.
YJB press release >>.

New national billboard campaign to unite communities against knife crime

A new national billboard campaign encouraging young people and communities to stand together against knife crime has been launched by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. The new interactive campaign will run for three months in areas across England and Wales, including the ten areas involved in the Tackling Knives Action Programme. Young people will be encouraged to show their support by adding their own anti-knife photo pledges to the Bebo social networking website. Home Office press release >>

Report questions UK’s punitive approach to children

The Howard League for Penal Reform has published a new report, ‘Punishing Children’, which examines and compares different youth justice systems across Europe. The report contrasts the welfare based approach across mainland Europe with the UK’s approach, which focuses on punishing children in trouble with the law. Howard League press release >>

Youth Restorative Disposal pilot ‘making a difference’ – YJB

A pilot programme to help tackle low-level offending by young people and improve victim satisfaction is making a difference according to Frances Done, the Chair of the YJB, and Youth Justice Minister David Hanson MP. The new Youth Restorative Disposal (YRD) holds 10 to 17-year-olds to account for minor crime and disorder through the use of restorative justice. Designed by the YJB, the Ministry of Justice and the Association of Chief Police Officers, YRD schemes are being piloted in eight areas via police forces and youth offending teams. The pilot scheme closes in April 2009, and will be evaluated to determine whether the project should be rolled out nationally. YJB press release >>

Extra funding for weekend activities for young people

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has announced that 77 local authorities will receive additional funding of £25,000 each to provide activities for young people on Friday and Saturday nights in neighbourhoods where crime and anti-social behaviour is a concern. Ensuring youth centres stay open late at weekends and evenings forms part of the proposals announced in the government's Youth Crime Action Plan. DCSF press release >>

Home Office supports development of new designs to 'crime-proof' new gadgets

The Home Office has announced a programme of work aimed at developing new and innovative design solutions to help prevent robberies of popular new gadgets, and to ensure that public safety is considered in the design of new public spaces and housing. The programme, led by the Design Council, will work on developing solutions to a wide range of crime-related problems, particularly those which affect young people. Home Office press release >>

Knife crime: fear, fashion and a united approach

Third Sector reports on the ‘Fear and Fashion’ programme, an initiative to tackle the knife and weapons culture of young people in London. The programme is underpinned by research commissioned in 2004 which identified two main motivations for carrying knives: fear of being attacked and the attraction, or fashion, of belonging to a group or gang. The programme will be reviewed in 2009/10, with the aim of continuing until about 2012. Third Sector article >>

Projects to support young crime victims

The Home Office has announced that five areas across the country have been awarded funding to create a network of support services for young victims of crime. Part of the Youth Crime Action Plan, the new pilot scheme will deliver services such as workshops in and out of school to educate young people on how to keep safe; drop-in sessions in schools where young people can go for support; peer support networks; and training by young people for police on how better to work with young people. Home Office press release >>

Offenders to wear community vests

Offenders in England and Wales are to wear high visibility vests while doing community service. Ministers have ordered 10,000 orange bibs with 'Community Payback' on the back identifying them to the public. It is hoped the uniforms will increase confidence in community-based punishments. BBC article >>

Young Muslim Advisory Group launched

The government has launched the Young Muslim Advisory Group. Twenty-two Muslim young people will have direct access to cabinet ministers and will work with government departments to tackle discrimination, increase employment levels and combat gangs, crime and drug use. One of their first tasks will be to organise a conference to give Muslim young people the chance to discuss the challenges they face and their vision for the future. Communities and Local Government press release >>

Positive Activities for Young People Funding

This month’s we feature PAYP work in Leeds

To complement targeted PAYP work, the Out of School Activities Team in Leeds has developed a range of events based around Leeds ‘Breeze’ youth offer. Breeze provides a broad range of fun, interactive positive activities for targeted and non-targeted young people in the PAYP age range (8 to 19) in key areas of the city. The ‘Breezecard’ and ‘breezeleeds’ website play a crucial role in marketing all Breeze events. Currently Breeze has contact with 103,000 young people from a total under-19 population of 183,000.

‘Breeze On Tour’ is a range of events in all five ‘wedges’ of the city to encourage young people to enjoy and achieve, stay safe and healthy in their own neighbourhoods and to try out Breeze events in other parts of the city. Breeze On Tour gives young people have access to arts and sports and information about other activities, facilities and services available to them across the city

Leeds City Council aims to build on this existing work through additional PAYP funding for the PAYP Key Worker Intervention Programme. This aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, both in the long and short term by supporting young people age 8 to 19 at risk of truancy, exclusion or being involved in crime. A robust referral mechanism has been developed which ensures the right young people benefit from the scheme. This is achieved through partnership working and has been found to be has been a significant contributor to the processes of the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit process and has achieved success in getting young people back into full time education, employment or training. PAYP currently funds nine key worker posts.

Additionally, Leeds City Council has a good track record of delivering weapons awareness sessions which have more recently been coordinated through the ‘No To Knives’ (NOTK) campaign at the city’s Royal Armouries Museum and delivered in partnership with the youth offending service and Leeds’ Safer Schools. All young people in Leeds who are found to be carrying a weapon or who are arrested and found guilty of an offence involving a weapon have to attend a weapons awareness session.
For further information email Sally Coe

Breezeleeds website >> No to Knives website >>

Other Practice

London schools take centre stage in youth crime prevention drive

Children and Young People Now reports on the launch of London Youth Crime Prevention Board’s new schools-based programme to stop young people offending. The London Schools Programme for Safety and Cohesion, which is being piloted in 27 schools and pupil referral units, aims to turn young people away from crime. Schools will be asked to assess how they are keeping pupils safe and out of trouble, and work with police, youth offending teams and children's services. CYP Now article >>

Play workers training police and community support officers

Voluntary organisation the Play and Early Years Training Unit has been working with Avon and Somerset Constabulary to pilot a play training workshop for police community support officers in the Bristol area. Eighteen officers took part in the workshop, which aimed to give them a greater understanding of play and to support them in developing positive relationships with children and young people. Bristol is one of 20 pathfinder local authorities funded by the government’s National Play Strategy to explore and test out new approaches to play services. CYPN article >>

Resources

Get Involved published

‘Get Involved’ is a new publication from YJB promoting volunteering in the youth justice system to members of the public. Many of the volunteers that YJB hopes to attract will work to support Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) . The publication suggests that people contact their local YOT to find out about possible roles. A ‘Get Involved’ poster is also downloadable for display in projects and other public areas.
Get Involved webpage >>

Institute of Community Cohesion launches website

The Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo) has developed a website giving help and guidance on creating strong, cohesive communities. It brings together a range of practical advice, including good practice case studies from across the country and toolkits on a range of topics.
iCoCo website >>

‘Why carry a weapon?’ - Howard League

The Howard League for Penal Reform has published a book that examines teenage knife crime in London by interviewing young people themselves. The author, prison governor Nicola Marfleet, conducted interviews with under-18s in custody at Feltham prison and young people excluded from school attending two pupil referral units (PRUs) in Haringey and Hackney. She questions the effectiveness of the existing criminal justice system, knife amnesties or harsher prison sentences. Further information >>

Funding

O2’s ‘It's Your Community Awards’ provide small grants of between £100 and £1,000 to local groups and individuals for any projects that can be shown to benefit their community. There are four categories for awards: rebuild and restore, cultural, active, and green and clean. Applications can be submitted at any time and decisions will be made within a month. Further information >>

Consultation/Research Proposals

Petition to ban Mosquito devices

For the past year The National Youth Agency, along with 11 Million and Liberty, has been working with young people from Corby and Groundwork North Northamptonshire on the ‘Buzz Off’ campaign to ban the use of Ultrasonic Teenage Deterrent (Mosquito) Devices. A petition has been initiated on the Number 10 website which calls for government to ban the devices. Mosquito petition >>

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published a new research report, ‘Promoting inter-generational understanding through Community Philosophy’, which examines how a community philosophy approach can open community conversations with and between generations about 'nuisance' behaviours and the fear of crime. Further information >>

London Mayor announces 'Time For Action' on youth crime – views sought

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has launched an action plan on youth crime and violence in the capital. The plan will involve five core projects that the Mayor’s office will work on alongside a range of organisations; specialist Mayoral Academies across London to help equip the city and young people with the skills for the future; and a central ‘library’ of information about what works in practice. The Mayor is seeking the views of Londoners, community organisations, practitioners, the voluntary sector and the statutory sector via a web based consultation. Major of London press release >>

Inquiry into knife crime

The Home Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into knife crime. The Committee wants to investigate the reasons why individuals carry and use knives, what can be done to prevent knife crime and ensure that those convicted of knife crime are appropriately punished. It is seeking written submissions from interested parties. Further information >>

Parliamentary Issues

Youth Crime Action Plan

Natascha Engel began a debate with the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls on funding for delivering the Youth Crime Action Plan through local areas. Hansard source >>

Antisocial Behaviour

Following a question by Laura Moffatt, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department Alan Campbell led a debate on anti-social behaviour with reference to young people. Hansard source >>

Events and Training

Communities and Youth Crime: A New Start?
9 December 2008, London

YJB Board Member Graham Robb will be speaking at this conference which will look ahead at the next five years of tackling youth crime and anti-social behaviour at a local level. Speakers from government, the criminal justice system, social care and wider community stakeholders will discuss the measures outlined in the Youth Crime Action Plan and the recent Crime and Communities Review. Further information >>

Holding an event or training?

If you are holding an event or providing training on issues around youth justice and community safety we can help you publicise this in Positive Activities and Youth Justice Update. Please email the team >>

Please feel free to distribute this edition of Positive Activities and Youth Justice Update to your colleagues and networks. We also welcome contributions - if you have news, an event or a new resource or want to tell us more about your own work with young people around youth justice please email the team >>