Youth justice: Interim chair named at YJB as respect tsar in running for role

Graham Robb, an adviser on behaviour in schools, said he hopes to use the role to improve co-operation between the different government departments responsible for young people.

"I come to this post thinking that many young people in the youth justice system achieve the opposite of the Every Child Matters goals," he said. "They are not safe,they are not healthy, and they do not achieve."

His arrival comes amid calls for the YJB to be under the control of the Department for Education and Skills.

The Home Office placed advertisements for the post of chair of the YJB this week, with respect tsar Louise Casey understood to be seriously considering an application. Several Home Office sources have indicated she is interested in the post, but a spokesman for the department refused to comment. Professionals in the youth justice sector also said they had heard Casey was a potential candidate, with one describing it as "a sick joke".