Review recommends youth justice overhaul to tackle racial bias

In a bid to tackle the disproportionately high numbers of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) young people in the youth justice system, the review, launched in March 2016 by Labour MP David Lammy, wants to see England adopt an approach developed in New Zealand.

This would see the current system of youth offender panels replaced with local justice panels, which take direct inspiration from Rangatahi courts in Maori communities, where local people with a direct stake in a young offender's life, such as teachers, contribute to hearings.

These normally deal with first-time offenders who have admitted guilt, and have a strong focus on rehabilitation by bringing the young person's family and community together to ensure there are no repeat offences. 

Lammy, MP for Tottenham, wants these new panels to take place in community settings, have a focus on parenting and hold local services to account for children's behaviour.

"It is essential that there is a mechanism for bringing together all those with a stake in young people's lives and a link to their offending behaviour," says his review's final report.

"If an offence has been committed in school hours, for example, teachers or the head teacher should be brought in to discuss the role of the school in preventing future offending behaviour.

"If there are substance abuse or mental health concerns, the relevant services should also be present.

"Local justice panels would have the power to convene these services alongside parents and the local community, both to inform the tailored sentencing plan for each child and to review progress against it in the future."