Agenda item

The report covered the Team’s reporting year, which ran from June 2017 – June 2018. The body was statutory (established in 2000) and had a range of partners and other boards (e.g. Youth Offending Team Management Board, Youth Justice Board) to manage the risks in its work. It had established its priorities and had three key indicators of performance; reoffending rates, rate of custody and number of first time entrants to the criminal justice system. It also developed relationships with young people’s wider families to assist in its duties.

The Panel raised the following points in discussion:

·  The reoffending rate currently stood at 32%; however, there was a considerable time lag in reporting on this given the to Youth Justice Board’s formula and monitoring process used for the indicator on re- offending. Information regarding the current situation was monitored through risk panels and the compilation of safety plans.

·  Preventative measures were put in place to assist with the avoidance of young people becoming first time offenders.

·  SBC and SCST were in contact with other local authorities given the impact of its proximity to London on young offending. Risk Panel minutes were shared as appropriate to identify concerns and specific cases. In addition, the Thames Valley Youth Offenders Team Managers Network also assisted in these matters.

·  The issues of gangs in Slough often involved older people using groups of youths rather than gangs operating in standard fashion. In addition, members of gangs could co-operate across lines of strict allegiance, suggesting that the picture was more complex than sometimes intimated.

·  The Panel requested a breakdown of the types of crime involved in Slough beyond the top 3 categories identified in the report.

·  SBC’s new offices would be designed in a manner which incorporated the need for private areas for confidential discussions.

·  Members noted the stable and positive performance of the YOT over recent years.

Resolved:  That the update be noted.