What is being done and why
Nationally
National Youth Strategy (2024–2025)
- Lead Organisation: Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
- Purpose: Co-produced with young people, this strategy aims to improve access to youth services, facilities, and opportunities outside school.
- Key Features:
- £85 million government funding + £100 million from the Dormant Assets Scheme.
- Focus on safer communities, better youth outcomes, and reduced pressure on health services.
- Youth advisory and expert groups guiding development.
- Status: In development, replacing the National Citizen Service (NCS).
- Lead Organisation: Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
- Purpose: Early intervention for children at risk of entering the youth justice system.
- Funding: £56.5 million across 155 Youth Justice Services (YJSs) until March 2025.
- Delivery: Local Youth Justice Services implement bespoke support packages.
- Evaluation: Ongoing by NatCen to assess effectiveness and inform future policy.
Youth Justice Board (YJB) Strategic Framework
- Focus Areas:
- Child First approach.
- Diversion and prevention.
- Addressing disproportionality.
- Improving education and mental health outcomes.
- Recent Actions:
- Push for deferred prosecutions.
- Renaming YOTs to Youth Justice Services to reduce stigma.
- Cross-government review of education policy impacts.
Regionally
- Role: Strategic youth sector organisation supporting policy, practice, and youth voice.
- Programmes:
- Detached youth work in Gateshead.
- Youth-led campaigns on homelessness and mental health.
- Regional youth voice initiatives.
- Key Programmes:
- Odysseus Mentoring Project: Mentoring for at-risk youth from deprived areas.
- Healing Hearts & Minds: Trauma-informed support for neurodiverse young women.
- 5 Steps Development Programme: Employability and life skills training.
- Young Leaders Programme: Leadership and confidence-building through sport.
- Lead Organisation: NE Youth, supported by the Pilgrim Trust and other funders.
North East Youth Alliance (NEYA)
- Purpose: Strengthen youth sector infrastructure and collaboration.
- Functions:
- Workforce development.
- Policy influencing.
- Youth-led service design.
- Regional intelligence sharing.
Locally
Hartlepool Youth Justice Service (YJS) Strategic Plan 2025–26
- Lead Organisation: Hartlepool Borough Council
- Key Strategic Priorities:
- Early intervention and diversion.
- Reducing reoffending.
- Restorative justice and victim support.
- Addressing serious youth violence and exploitation.
- Supporting children with SEN, EHCPs, and those in care.
- Lead Organisation: Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)
- Purpose: Out-of-Court Disposal (OoCD) for low-level offences.
- Delivery: Bespoke interventions including victim awareness, reparation, and education/employment support.
- Impact: Low reoffending rates; renewed funding for 2025–26.
Immediate Justice Programme
- Purpose: Restorative interventions for anti-social behaviour.
- Delivery: Community-based reparation projects (e.g., art installations, environmental work).
- Status: Pilot ended in March 2025; local interest in continuation.
Harm Outside the Home (HoTH) Team
- Purpose: Multi-agency response to child exploitation and serious violence.
- Partners: Police, social care, education, health.
- Delivery: Strategic risk management, intelligence sharing, and safeguarding plans.
Constructive Resettlement Framework
- Purpose: Support for children leaving custody.
- Delivery: 7-point plan covering accommodation, education, health, substance misuse, family support, and financial advice.
Links with Virtual School
- Purpose: champions the education of vulnerable children—such as those in care or with a social worker—by coordinating support and improving their educational outcomes.
- Delivery: through a dedicated team within Hartlepool Borough Council that works in partnership with schools, carers, and other professionals