Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Paragraph: 119
Collaboration between agencies is imperative if children’s resettlement needs are to be met during their...
Recommendation
Collaboration between agencies is imperative if children’s resettlement needs are to be met during their time in custody and followed through to the community. We recognise that the quality and ease of collaboration between agencies may vary between establishments and areas, but it is sub-optimal that children may be subjected to a number of different, uncoordinated resettlement plans. The Ministry of Justice and Youth Custody Service should set out what work is being done to reduce duplication and ensure that children have a single coordinated resettlement plan.
Paragraph Reference:
119
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We acknowledge there has been duplication in resettlement work following an internal casework review conducted by the YCS that leaned on the findings of YJB’s ‘How to Make Resettlement Constructive’ report. Following the agreement of all recommendations, a Working Group and Task and Finish Group was formed to oversee development. The need for a coordinated and aligned multi-agency approach in resettlement plans quickly became clear as part of the Integrated Care Model, after overlap across sector became apparent. To reduce overlap and duplication we will continue to foster multi- agency working and co-produce resettlement plans with children and young people following their Formulation. The Formulation will identify and sequence all aspects of the child’s needs in custody which in turn will form the foundations of multi-agency planning (Resettlement, Health, Education, Interventions). These plans will ensure that from a child or young person’s arrival into custody all stakeholders will work collaboratively in enabling a more successful return to the community. The Resettlement Plan will also review longer-term outcomes and use this to inform our partners on what planning and provision is needed, allowing us to achieve success supporting the child’s identity. It is also important that the Resettlement Plan is appropriately reviewed. The plan will be reviewed professionally within the Formulations and less formally with the child and their family/carers in the ‘My Plan’ reviews. Presently, we are in the development stage of this document, and whilst we recognise the importance of finalising this product, it is also as important to get this right in order to produce a plan that successfully meets the needs of the child.