Speaking after the Department for Children, Schools and Families announced the strategy, the YJB's interim chair, Graham Robb, said:
“The YJB is pleased to see ministers publish a long-term strategy for youth services with such a strong emphasis on engaging disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. We will work closely with the new Department for Children, Schools and Families to ensure that the proposed limited pooling of YOT prevention budgets with local authorities allows for a continued focus on the most at-risk young people, including those at greatest risk of involvement in crime. We are also keen that the new Youth Strategy draws on the YJB’s considerable experience of making targeted youth support as effective as possible, ensuring that those young people who most need support and services, get them.
“The YJB welcomes the increasing recognition across Government departments, policy makers and the public of the value of prevention work. Effective, well thought out programmes can have a tremendously positive effect on the children and young people most at risk of offending and at risk of damaging communities helping them become full contributors to society.
“The increasing sophistication of prevention projects delivered by statutory and voluntary agencies is helping deliver positive activities and opportunities to some of our most vulnerable young people. We hope the new strategy will build upon this.”
Click to read Aiming High for Young People: A Ten Year Strategy for Positive Activities [link opens in new window].