Agenda item

The Carmarthenshire Youth Justice Plan for 2023/24 was presented to the Committee.

The Youth Justice Plan outlined the provision of the Youth Support Service and the Youth Justice Team under a single management structure which provided a holistic approach to the delivery of youth support services across Carmarthenshire. The Youth Justice Plan also detailed the performance of the partnership during 2023/24 and also set out the priorities and improvement planning objectives for the forthcoming year in accordance with the overarching ‘child first’ principles and an ethos of continuous improvement.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services reminded the Committee that there was an overlap in the portfolios and that it was only the Youth Justice Statutory element of the report that was under the remit of this Committee. 

An explanation was provided as to how the Youth Justice Team was funded and that the budget showed an increase of 20% for 2023/24.  However, it was noted that funding for the Youth Justice and Prevention work was short term and required careful planning and monitoring against the various grant sources.

A number of questions were raised to which officers responded.  The main matters were as follows:

• In response to observations regarding the progress status on elements of the self-assessment action plan 2022/24 and if the target dates were realistic, officers advised that the plan was dynamic and geared towards reporting on the Youth Justice response to the HMIP inspection framework and guidance.  It was stated that self-assessment remained important as it would drive the business forward.  It was noted that the plan was an evolving working document and would be updated with items removed or added to reflect the needs of the service and changes to policy and statutory requirements.  Officers informed the Committee that the outcome of the November HMIP inspection was very positive.
• In response to concerns raised regarding a child who was unwilling to be referred to CAMHS, reassurance was provided that other services could be accessed including the Youth Health Team and well trained practitioners.  It was also stated that while a child could not be forced to accept medical interventions there were other mechanisms that were available to protect the child such as the Mental Health Act and the police powers of protection.
• In response to a query regarding the Bureau, the Committee were advised that it was a mechanism within the Dyfed Powys Police force

designed to address offending in a child centred way.  The system provided the child with opportunities for diversion from the justice system as out-of-court disposals are used where the police were of the view that a child could be dealt with and diverted away from the court system.  The Bureau allows both the children and the victims to have their voices heard.

• Regarding the recruitment of staff the Committee was advised that since the report had been produced additional staff had been recruited but that sustainability needed to be considered when planning due to the current reliance on grant funding such as the Shared Prosperity Fund which would cease at the end of March 2025.  The Committee was advised that almost 70% of the service was grant funded but that the team were proactively seeking alternative sources of funding. 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Carmarthenshire Youth Justice Plan for 2023/24 be received.