The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)
I am pleased to announce the review of the Youth Justice Board. This review is being conducted as part of the public bodies review programme, which aims to ensure that public bodies are operating effectively, and that their functions remain useful and necessary.
An efficient and effective youth justice system is essential for preventing crime and keeping communities safe. In line with our safer streets mission, it is vital that we have robust systems in place to stop young people being drawn into crime. Equally, we must support children who do find themselves in contact with the youth justice system to ensure they do not enter a cycle of crime which continues into adulthood.
The youth justice system is a complex one, requiring collaboration between many Departments, agencies and public and voluntary services. While there is much to celebrate, including a significant reduction in the number of children in custody in the last decade, it is right that we regularly review how our structures, system and agencies operate to ensure they are as effective and efficient as possible.
The YJB was set up to play a critical role in delivering positive outcomes for children in contact with the criminal justice system, and to provide oversight, assurance and technical expertise around the operation of the youth justice system. However, much time has passed since the last Cabinet Office review of the YJB in 2013. Since then, the youth justice landscape, and YJB itself, have changed significantly.
With that in mind, this review is an opportunity to consider whether the YJB’s statutory functions remain useful and necessary, where these functions should sit, and whether the YJB’s current delivery model remains appropriate. This review will also be key to assessing how the YJB and Department should work together to deliver ministerial priorities and deliver value for money.
This review will ensure that our current arrangements actively support the essential work undertaken by youth justice services and support the effective delivery of the Department’s priorities for youth justice and reducing reoffending.
I have appointed Steve Crocker, former president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, to lead on the review. He is independent from the Ministry of Justice and will provide objective analysis of the YJB and the Department. Steve Crocker will also lead a period of stakeholder engagement across England and Wales.
I will make a further announcement on completion of the review in spring 2025. Following this, I will set out the Government’s response.
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