Recommendation 17

HM Government Acknowledged

64. We are aware that many participants in the youth justice system see value in feedback loops between Youth Courts, Youth Offending Teams and children. As outlined in the white paper, A Smarter Approach to Sentencing, we will explore problem-solving approaches in the youth justice system, including building the evidence base for the use of panels beyond their current use for Referral Orders (RO). 65. For those children who receive an RO, youth offender panels already provide an opportunity for this feedback loop to occur. Guidance on ROs advises that YOT managers work with local sentencers, providing regular dialogue, information and feedback on the contents of contracts and case outcomes and the effective management of custody threshold cases. The panel can refer the child back to court if there is non-compliance or the child does not agree a contract. 66. We are also aware of innovative local approaches and informal arrangements between some magistrates and YOTs to improve information sharing and involve magistrates in reviewing the ongoing progress of children in relation to community orders other than ROs, for example Youth Rehabilitation Orders. For example, in Wrexham and Northampton informal review panels for young offenders who have received community orders are used to assess compliance and support the successful completion of the orders. While these are local examples and therefore limited in their ability to demonstrate wider impact, there is evidence that children who participated in these schemes felt more empowered and were more positive towards the order. Informal feedback from magistrates also suggested that they appreciate understanding how a child is progressing with their order. 67. We are very interested in further exploring what lessons we can learn from this innovative practice, as well as existing Referral Order panels and other jurisdictions. We are actively considering how the Ministry of Justice can best support these approaches, while ensuring we maintain the impartial court process.