I was interested to read your briefing, "Care system shows many failings", on the report from the Centre for Policy Studies (YPN, 27 September-3 October, p10). As someone who was employed by a care home and worked diligently to create an environment that was nurturing and conducive to learning and progression, I have to take issue with the negative way the care system is being portrayed. I agree that a concerning number of looked-after young people are involved in crime and receive less than average grades at GCSE but there is more to this picture than simple ineffective practice in care homes.
In order for a young person to be taken into care, there must be an atmosphere in the family home that is detrimental to the development of that young person. It is naive to think that by taking a young person into care anyone can have a monumental effect and undo the influences that were received prior to being in care. Some things are ingrained into a young person's being from the moment they are born and no matter how much time is spent developing them as people they will never have the same natural sense of morality and ambition as those peers who grew up in a family home.
I propose that less time is spent talking about how to educate looked-after young people to become active citizens and more time is spent teaching parents to be positive role models.
Laura Locke, Connexions personal adviser, Chiswick Community School
OFFENDERS NEED STABILITY
We are delighted that the Youth Justice Board is addressing the vital issue of providing safe and supported accommodation for young offenders on release (YPN, 1-7 November, p7).
YMCA England works closely with young offenders while they are serving their sentences, and on release. We have seen first hand how a lack of stability impacts on a young person's ability to turn their back on a life of crime.
Stability must begin on the inside. Young offenders should not be shifted from one institution to another unless it is in their best interests.
This undermines the consistency needed for effective rehabilitation.
YMCA England believes addressing the issue of stable accommodation while young people are in custody is as important as addressing these problems on release.
Angela Sarkis, national secretary, YMCA England.
YOUNG OFFENDERS' HEALTH
The Youth Justice Board welcomes the Healthcare Commission report that highlights the good practice and commitment of health and substance misuse workers attached to youth offending teams (YOTs) in England and Wales (YPN, 1-7 November, p3).
While the majority of YOTs have successfully developed positive health services supported by significant investment by the Department of Health into local child and adolescent mental health services, the report highlights areas of concern that need further work between youth justice and health partnerships at a national and local level, which include: a lack of commitment by a minority of primary care trusts to honour their requirement to provide a health worker to their local YOT; the need for senior primary care trust membership on YOT management boards; and guidance on the role of health workers to ensure the most effective use of this provision within YOTs.
Bill Kerslake, head of policy, substance misuse and mental health, Youth Justice Board
STRIKE A BALANCE
We noted with interest the Freedom's Orphans report, recommending one hour of structured activities for young people a week (YPN, 25-31 October, p5).
Changemakers and ContinYou are just two of the organisations that work with young people providing structured activities. Our approach, called Active Citizens in Schools, is young person-led, which means that the young person takes the responsibility and therefore all the credit for a successful project.
The interest in our approach that has been shown by politicians and organisations such as v and the Young Adult Trust reflects the realisation among youth workers that aimless "downtime" is as ineffectual for young people as didacticism.
Adam Nichols, chief executive, Changemakers, and Laurence Blackhall, chief executive, ContinYou
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