1. Youth to adult transitions 14 March 2013 Frances Done Chair Youth Justice Board for England and Wales

2. Introduction Young offenders (18-20) are –disproportionately represented in caution and conviction statistics –provide a large proportion of the Probation Service caseload –the peak age group of offenders At this age individuals are making the transition to adulthood: –Education to work –Living at home to living independently –Transition between health and other services at 18

3. The numbers approx 5000 – 6000 young people on community sentences made transition from a YOT to a Probation Trust in 2011/12 62% of 18 year-olds sentenced during 2010 had at least one previous conviction when they were aged 10-17 under YOT supervision approx 400 transfers a year from the young person’s custodial estate to the adult estate

4. The issues… No consistent transition process across England and Wales Vast differences between youth justice services and adult justice services Key relationships broken when young people move to adult services Young person can potentially “fall off a cliff” at 18 as key services disappear

5. The issues… (cont.) Information sharing often inadequate Looked After Child status can get “lost” Serious incidents have led to criticisms in several inquiries, reviews and investigations. Finding of HMI Probation led thematic inspection on transitions

6. Current work to improve transitions from youth to adult justice services YJB led Youth to Adult Transitions Framework –advice for managing transitions in the community NOMS led protocol for transitions within custody –guidance for managing transitions in custody Youth to Adult (Y2A) Portal –a web based application used to securely transfer information in the following areas: YOT to Probation Trust, YOT to Young Adult YOI.

7. Youth to Adult Transitions Framework Advice to YOT and Probation Trust managers as they develop their local Y2A transition protocols The framework has three main sections: - Principles for good transitions - Preparing the young person and their family for transfer - YOT to Probation Trust case transfer process The framework needs local buy-in and strong leadership to improve transitions

8. Youth to Adult (Y2A) Portal The Y2A Portal provides: –up-to-date information transferred in a secure and timely manner –summary views, allowing practitioners to review key pieces of information more rapidly and easily –a structured and auditable process for transferring information Two successful pilots Roll out across England and Wales to begin later in 2013 Scope to extend the Portal into a number of other areas across the CJS

9. Probation good practice on transitions Oxfordshire YOS and Thames Valley Probation joint workshops to: –understand each other’s service and systems –understand the importance and advantages of transferring and sharing information –sharing understanding on how to engage with young people. Croydon’s Community Hub for 18–24-year-olds and probation team for 18 – 24 year-olds Kent plan to commission interventions specifically for offenders aged 18–25 Leeds ensures every young person transferred from a YOT receives at least weekly meetings

10. Transforming Rehabilitation consultation – implications for progress in transitions Potential loss of focus by Probation with so much change to manage Risk to coherent transitions work if it involves multiple providers YJB response to government ? All young people transferring at 18 should be managed by public sector probation staff Concerns in relation to private providers taking on and securely managing sensitive data

11. Your action is needed Use the Youth to Adult Transitions Framework to develop or review your local transition protocol with your YOT Subscribe to the transitions web pages on the Justice website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/youth-justice/youth-to-adult-transitions http://www.justice.gov.uk/youth-justice/youth-to-adult-transitions Share examples of your good practice with the YJB for dissemination To achieve….. Greater support for young offenders Reduced reoffending and smaller caseloads Fewer victims

12. Youth to adult transitions 14 March 2013 Frances Done Chair Youth Justice Board for England and Wales