Issue - meetings

This report presents the annual Brent Youth Justice Plan 2024-25 providing an overview of local youth justice services, priorities and arrangements for monitoring performance.

Members are asked to note that in accordance with regulations, the Plan has also been subject to consideration and approval by the Youth Justice Board.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2024-25 for formal sign off and adoption by Full Council on 19 September 2024.

Eligible for call-in: No (report referred to Council for final approval)

As a result of Councillor Grahl (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools) having submitted her apologies for absence Councillor Muhammed Butt (Leader of the Council) introduced a report presenting the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2024 - 25.  In considering the report Cabinet noted that the Youth Justice Plan included an overview of local youth justice progress and priorities along with the arrangements for monitoring performance, with the Plan (in accordance with statutory requirements) having been submitted to the Youth Justice Board for review and approval prior to its formal consideration by Cabinet in advance of its recommended adoption by Full Council.

In recognising the commitment and achievements of the Youth Justice Service and the wider partnership work being undertaken to support children and young people who were at risk of, or had entered the youth justice system, members noted the overall performance achieved by the service particularly in respect of the reduction in number of young people entering the criminal justice system for the first time and low numbers of young people in custody.  The strong performance identified was attributed to the Council’s focus on prevention and engagement with children and young people, with members welcoming the positive feedback provided through young people and their parents and carers, and the ongoing partnerships in support of the work being undertaken to ensure the focus on early intervention and preventative support remained in place.

In noting the positive outcomes being achieved within such a challenging context, thanks was expressed to all those working within the Youth Justice Service for their efforts, diligence and innovation in supporting young people and Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2024-25 for formal sign off and adoption by Full Council on 19 September 2024.