A new report from the National Youth Agency, commissioned by the Local Government Association, explores youth offending teams (YOTs) and service users to examine the extent of service user participation and identify examples of good practice.
Among the findings in Voice and Influence in the Youth Justice System are that good participation practice is not widespread across YOTs and there is a general lack of strategic direction. The youth justice system does not encourage user participation, being governed by national standards and reporting requirements.
Youth offenders have little experience of participation and have low expectations about their ability to influence plans and shape YOT services, but many would like more opportunities to do so.
NYA development officer Peta Halls, who wrote the report, said: "Participation can improve outcomes for young people and youth justice practitioners and YOT services by increasing access and use of services, and positive experience and feedback about services. Participation can also contribute towards reducing reoffending rates."
For more information, email Peta Halls at petah@nya.org.uk
Following from this report NYA is also undertaking a scoping exercise around the impacts and social return on investment for participation in the youth justice, if anyone who has done work in this area please contact Peta Halls at petah@nya.org.uk
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 10:36
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Facebook
Google
Technorati
A new package to develop local staff to support and train young people to conduct objective assessments of local services and support recommendations for service improvements.
