Agenda item

Members sought clarification around the first time entrants figures and whether the reduction is a sustainable decrease or a blip because of Covid. Officers advise that there is an acceptance that Covid has affected all young people; the reason for the decrease however is due to the Bureau, it has kept running throughout the pandemic.  It has allowed a more co-ordinated approach in dealing with young people before become first time entrants. It will not be sustainable, but we do not yet know the emotional impact that Covid has had and whether that his affected their involvement.

Members reference the growth of child sexual and child criminal exploitation and how can all partners work to get those figures down.  Members were referred to the Safeguarding Adolescents from Exploitation presentation, which is a partnership wide approach in dealing with the growth of that exploitation.  Education; the Youth Service; and the Police, together with other partners are all part of that puzzle.   Work is still ongoing; there is an optional group with sub-groups feeding into it.  In relation to younger targeted intervention; whilst the age of responsibility is 10 it has to be recognised that behaviours start at a younger level. In Cardiff intervention does not start until 10 but if a young person is showing certain kinds of behaviours consideration can be given to getting the right piece of work done with those children.  It is hoped that as Covid lifts the team can provide some targeted workshops in primary schools.  It has to be partnership approach.

Members discussed diversity and disproportionality and referred to the figures in respect of case loads; 83% white and 87% male and how to get those youngsters back and engaged.  Officers advised the importance of have a real understanding of the young people; why they are not in school and how to get them back into school. The service needs to be as diverse as the young people involved in the system.

Members looked at the number of offences committed when young people are re-offending, and queried whether there are any distinctions or any insight into that.  Members were advised that whilst the amount of children reoffending is increasing there is less offending.  There is a small amount continuing to reoffend.  Members note that some of them offended and re-offended within such a short space of time that it was not possible to do any work with those children in the intervening period.  There is certainly more work to be done in that area.

Members stressed the importance of the service working with all partners and were advised that the SAFE model is not one service, it is all partners. 

Members sought clarification in respect of the serious calculation. Officers explained that the Police gravity scoring goes from 1 – 8 but Youth Justice scoring goes from 1 – 4.  A 4 would be significant, for example a murder, whereas a 2 or 3 captures the majority of offences – assaults to grievous bodily harm charges as well.