Plans have been approved in Cumberland Council’s Executive meeting today outlining how the Youth Justice service will build on their work to try to tackle criminal behaviour.

The plan will now go for approval to the Youth Justice Board.

The Youth Justice Plan makes clear the importance of listening to children and managing the individual causes of offending to prevent children escalating into the criminal justice system.

The service has gained backing from central government and resulted in increased funding to continue to improve impact.

Most recent figures show the rate of reoffending for January 2021 – March 2021 was 20.6 per cent - lower reoffending rate than the England and Wales average for the same period which stood at 31 per cent and there were only four custodial sentences  imposed, in 2022-2023.

Deputy Leader (Non-Statutory) of Cumberland Council and Executive Member for Children, Family Wellbeing and Housing, Cllr Emma Williamson, said:  “I fully support the new plan; it is ambitious and comprehensive.

"The behaviours leading to children being involved with the service cannot be condoned however the causes can be complex.

"The plan proactively puts the child at the centre and empowers them to change their lives and positively reengage with their communities.

“The impact from the work of the team is clear to see and the collaboration between young people, the youth justice service and external agencies is having an incredibly positive impact on both the young people and their communities, making Cumberland a better place to live for everyone.”

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The service has been well received by children involved, with respondents to a survey carried out between July 2022 and March 2023 saying they felt they were treated with respect and listened to, and 93 per cent saying things had changed for the better since they started working with the Youth Justice Service.

Young people have also been, helping to shape the future direction of the service including being asked to speak to senior leaders.

Cumberland’s Youth Justice Service (YJS) is a partnership, created by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and made up of a range of statutory and other key partners. The council, under the auspices of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 are responsible for establishing and maintaining a Youth Justice Service in partnership with core agencies (Police, Probation and Health).