A decade ago, the Northamptonshire Magistracy looked at ways to support the children and young people who appeared before the youth courts. Since then, it has become a national model of excellence with three major initiatives, the third one showing impressive results over its two years in operation – the Youth Court Solutions project.
In the youth courts, now held twice a month in Wellingborough, the judges and magistrates take care to ensure the sentences they pass address the offending whilst having full regard to the welfare of the child.
Made in Northamptonshire
The initiatives that have drawn positive national attention to Northamptonshire are:
- Youth Review Panel – a post-court review
- Problem Solving Hearing – in-court coordination
- Youth Court Solutions – an at-court support service
The Youth Review Panel involved specially trained magistrates attending the Youth Offending Service panels, giving the young person and family members the opportunity to meet the magistrates. The Northamptonshire Magistracy then instigated a Problem Solving Hearing, with all the professionals having responsibility for the child requested to attend and declare what they propose to do. To support understanding, the presiding justice ensures there is clarity on behalf of all attending professionals, the child or young person and their family – and with pressure from the magistrate to deliver.
Youth Court Solutions
The latest initiative, Youth Court Solutions (YCS) was a UK-first, launched in October 2021. It operates in the public area of the Wellingborough court, with access to a range of support. The service, coordinated by The Crysalys Foundation, offers the children in the court the prospect of a life free from the impact of crime, whether as a witness, victim, perpetrator, or any family member of one of these.
Working in conjunction with the Youth Offending Service, the police, the legal profession and independent charities such as Service Six, youth practitioners attend the court offering a warm independent welcome in an otherwise formal and stressful setting. They offer help with the following:
- The workings of the criminal justice system
- The issues which bring young people to court
- Family, finance, debt and accommodation problems
- Learning and training opportunities
These interventions represent an opportunity that most young people may never have had before to avoid problems and better themselves. In-person and, since January 2023 also with a digital offer, the service caters to various levels of enthusiasm and engagement.
Proven success – and a celebration
YCS aims to increase youth health and wellbeing and reduce repeat offending. Based on the initial success and take up, the model is working, having met and exceeded all its target outcomes.
In its first two years YCS has supported 294 young people and 176 parents and carers. This represents 58% of the youth defendants attending court in that time. Year on year there has been a 41% increase in youth defendants accessing the services, and a 67% increase in parents and carers benefiting from the service.
Impressively, the YCS project has reduced Northamptonshire youth re-offending by 36%. The YCS youth re-offending rate is in single figures at only 8%. The average UK youth re-offending rate is 31%.
The YCS project is currently funded until 2026. Early indications show further strong performance, including the first month with 100% youth reach, that is engaging with every youth defendant attending court.
On July 8, the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Amy Crawfurd JP, is convening a Youth Court Solutions Symposium at the University to celebrate the YCS success and share best practice with senior legal, criminal justice and youth court specialists from across the UK.
National roll-out and business support
To support other youth courts across the UK, Crysalys is producing a YCS toolkit, and is interested in partnering with any county that would like to implement a Youth Court Solutions project. YCS is also keen to engage with businesses willing to offer company visits, work experience, training, apprenticeships, jobs and mentoring to give young people the opportunity for a meaningful career and worthwhile life.
If you would like to know more, contact Adrian Pryce at adrian@cryalys.org. Or view the YCS Impact Report for 2022 – 2023.
