Youth justice sector in policy limbo
Neil Puffett
Monday, June 28, 2010
Professionals are demanding clarity on the future direction of youth justice amid concerns that a lack of policy announcements is hampering long-term planning in the sector.
Since the new government came to power, little detail has emerged on plans for the future of youth justice apart from broad pledges in the coalition agreement document to introduce a "rehabilitation revolution" and to review sentencing policy.
Lorna Hadley, chair of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers' said current uncertainty risks hindering the work of youth offending teams (YOTs).
"We would like reassurance for our staff," she said. "Local authorities are already gearing up to make changes. The fear is we could be left behind if we don't get some clarification soon."
Rob Allen, a former member of the Youth Justice Board (YJB), said the sector could be "treading water" until October when the comprehensive spending review takes place and the government's review of sentencing policy is due to report.
"There must be considerable anxiety among people working in YOTs and associated provision about the medium-term future for their jobs, projects and programmes," he said.
An as yet unpublished youth justice policy paper, produced by former shadow justice minister David Burrowes prior to the election, is understood to have called for greater emphasis on schemes such as intensive fostering.
Andrew Neilson, assistant director at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the government is unlikely to fund such initiatives. But he argued that a period of inactivity might be positive for the sector.
"On one level it is a good thing, as over the past 10 or 12 years the youth justice system has been in the public eye with the Respect agenda and concern about hoodies," he said.
"The fact we are in dead calm means it is not in the full glare of the public eye and allows people to get on with their jobs."
The Ministry of Justice was unable to say when or whether policy details for youth justice will be outlined. But a spokeswoman did confirm that the future of the YJB is unclear.
"The government is looking at all arm's-length bodies and considering whether they should be retained," she said. "The YJB will be included in this process."
