The review and validation of the Key Elements of Effective Practice has been completed, and EPQA as a process has now ceased.
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, and proposed changes to local area performance management in Wales, had implications for how the YJB monitors performance of youth justice services.
In meeting the requirements of the Act the YJB amended the way in which it monitors the youth justice system andintroduced the annual Youth Justice Planning Framework.
The Youth Justice Planning Framework incorporates the key features of the EPQA process – self-assessment and validation – but is also underpinned by the priorities contained within the Criminal Justice Strategic Plan for the next spending review period.
The Key Elements of Effective Practice, which underpin the current quality assurance process, are being maintained; as they describe the features of effective youth justice services, allow delivery to be shaped by need and local context and are intended to support consistency of delivery across youth justice services. YOTs will be able to use the Key Elements of Effective Practice as a key tool in the internal planning process and benchmarking of services.