LONDON, May 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Today, the MOJ released a key piece of research linking experiences of education and social care to offending by children with its Patterns of education, social care and youth offending: Offending overlaps and journeys
This research is for England, but it will also impact Wales.
Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board, says:
The findings published today reinforce what we already know - children in England and Wales who enter the justice system are often among the most vulnerable in society. Most have unmet needs, with experiences of exclusion from education, persistent absence, special educational needs and contact with children's social care,and this istypicallyallbeforeany contact with the justice system. This is somethingthe Youth JusticeBoard,practitioners across youth justice, education and safeguarding have long understood.
These findings also reinforce the importance of the Child First evidence base; recognising that children in the justice system are just that - children, often with complex experiences andadditionalneeds. Interventions to keep them out of the justice system are most effective when theytake place as early aspractical,focuson support,positiveidentitydevelopment,relationships,safetyand long-term outcomes.
Thanks to the incredible partnership work that goes on and the application of the Child First evidencebase, there has been significantand consistentprogressin youth justicein recent years. This includesfewer children entering the youth justice system and historicallylow numbersof children in custody.
However,these findings highlight the importance of continuing to strengthen prevention, inclusion and early intervention across the wider system, andtheneed forevengreaterpartnership workingforourmostvulnerablechildren.
This dataunderlines the need for strong partnerships between education, children's services, health, community organisations and youth justice services to identify needs earlier and intervene before problems escalate.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
