Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, Chief Executive of the YJB, says:
Yesterday’s ministerial announcement on youth justice reform presents some strong opportunities to respond to the complex challenges in youth justice. We welcome multi-year funding certainty for youth justice services, and we support the policy intent and delivery ambition of ministers.
The announcement also mentions fundamental reforms to the Youth Justice Board and this is part of a broader structural review across public bodies, not a reflection of the great work of the YJB workforce and the strides we have seen in youth justice as a result of our leadership to the sector. The evidence shows that the youth justice system, supported by the YJB’s national oversight, evidence and practice leadership, has delivered sustained and measurable progress over the past decade for children, victims and communities.
Over the past 10 years the system has achieved:
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A 65% reduction in the number of children receiving cautions or sentences
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A 38% reduction in arrests of children compared with a decade ago
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Record low numbers of children held in custody
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Continued downward trends in child reoffending
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Significant reductions in first-time entrants to the youth justice system.
These achievements are shared achievements – delivered locally by youth justice services and partners and strengthened nationally through the YJB’s evidence and system leadership. All of us at the YJB are proud to be part of the system’s progress.
Under the reformed arrangements, the YJB will continue as an independent body with a clear and focused national role in continuous improvement, evidence leadership and practice support.
We will continue to provide system insight, research and guidance on effective practice, and to work in close improvement partnership with youth justice services across England and Wales. There will be continuity in our improvement, evidence and practice leadership functions through the transition period. Supporting services with credible evidence, practical tools and learning will remain at the heart of our work.
Youth justice is most effective when it is evidence-led, child-centred and grounded in partnership. We remain committed to working closely with youth justice services, sector partners and the Ministry of Justice to build further on approaches that improve outcomes for children, support victims and create safer communities.
