Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing children receiving support from Youth Offending Teams to continue accessing this service until the age of 25, rather than being transitioned to the Probation Service at 18 years old.

This Government recognises that transitioning from youth offending services to adult probation services is a very important issue, and we are looking at how we can improve the process. We also recognise that young adults (18-25 year olds) have distinct needs which need to be addressed during this process. In general, the transition to adulthood presents a new range of challenges for young people, such as finding housing, employment and navigating the welfare system. The complexity of this can hinder a young person’s desistance from crime.

We need to strike a balance between putting the right support in place for vulnerable young adults, and supporting them to engage independently with adult services, so that there is not another drop off in services at 25. We are committed to supporting young people transition from youth offending services to adult probation services so that they have the best opportunity to desist from criminal behaviour.

The Youth Justice Board (YJB) is working with Her Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) to review the Joint National Transition Protocol for Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) and Probation in both England and Wales separately. This provides guidance to services supporting the transition of children to adult services once they reach age 18.

In addition, the YJB has been focussing on supporting the most effective transitioning of children into adult services, and for those services to recognise and meet the unique needs of this group. The YJB also identifies and disseminates emerging practice from the sector through a variety of channels including the Youth Justice Resource Hub

Officials in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) are also working in collaboration with the London Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and London Councils to review existing transition arrangements for young adults coming into contact with probation services in London.

In response to evidence that young adults continue psychosocial maturity and development well into their mid-twenties, a resource pack and screening tool is now available in prisons and some probation areas to assess and support young people whose maturity is still developing.