The Youth Taskforce Action Plan was launched in March 2008 by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The Action Plan, part of the
DCSF's Children's Plan [opens in new window], will support:
Click to read and download the action plan [PDF, opens in new window].
Note that the action plan applies to England only.
The YJB will be supporting the role of the Taskforce, which is seeking to ensure a balance between support and enforcement, based on the tiered approach to anti-social behaviour that the YJB has consistently promoted.
We particularly welcome the Taskforce's role in the drive to reduce the number of first-time entrants to the youth justice system. This has been a key objective since 2005-06 and we welcome the additional emphasis now placed upon it. This is consistent with wider aims to reduce reoffending and the use of custody in order to reduce the pressure on the youth justice system.
We will be working with the DCSF to help co-ordinate the implementation of the Action Plan and will keep you informed of progress through this website and the YJBulletin. The following issues arising from the plan should be of relevance and interest to youth justice practitioners.
- Delivering the plan will require a joined-up approach at national, regional and local level and the role of YOTs in this task is important.
- It advocates involving whole families in addressing anti-social behaviour.
- Positive activities will be made available to the most socially excluded.
- Evidence-based prevention programmes such as Youth Inclusion Programmes and Youth Inclusion and Support Panels are acknowledged in the plan, as is our investment of £99 million in them.
- The plan identifies a need for additional measures such as the Challenge and Support projects and the extension of Family Intervention Projects. However, it is important that these are planned and delivered in association with YOTs so they can be properly aligned with youth justice policy and planning.
- The development of targeted youth support is critical to the youth justice agenda and we must ensure targeted support can be delivered to young people before, during and after justice.
- The effectiveness of support measures alongside enforcement action will be evaluated and we await the findings with interest.
- There is a commitment to do more with parents and ‘think family’.
- Interaction between young people and other sections of society will be promoted. More understanding among different parts of the community will help to address the problem that exists in youth justice of disproportionately negative perceptions of young people and why most people believe youth crime is rising when it isn’t. There is also much more scope for the community to become involved in solutions to youth anti-social behaviour and crime.
- On a related note, we are working with DCSF, Home Office and the Courts Service to improve the consistency of information given to courts in ASBO proceedings. Guidance to YOTs will be issued shortly on this. This guidance will support the drive to increase the use of Individual Support Orders.