The Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care and Disabilities presented the Barking and Dagenham Youth Justice Plan for 2023/24, which set out the work and achievements of the service over the last 12 months and how it had impacted first time entrants into the criminal justice service, re-offending of children and young people and reduced the numbers of children in custody.
The Cabinet Member was pleased to report that, overall, the service had positively impacted all three areas, with all three performance indicators decreasing over the last five years. Whilst Barking and Dagenham remained higher than London and National averages with regard to use of custody and first-time entrants, the Cabinet Member clarified that the Borough had the highest proportion of 0-16 year olds in the country as well as high levels of deprivation.
The Cabinet Member highlighted other achievements within the service and confirmed that the Plan had been agreed by the local multi-agency youth justice management board and submitted to the Youth Justice Board in line with the conditions of grant and national expectations.
Assembly resolved to adopt the Barking and Dagenham Youth Justice Plan 2023/24, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.
Cabinet resolved to:
(i) Note the Barking and Dagenham Youth Justice Plan 2023/24 and the work of the youth justice service in addressing youth crime in the borough and the priorities for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and
(ii) Recommend the Assembly to adopt the Barking and Dagenham Youth Justice Plan 2023/24.