A new Youth Justice Management Information System (MIS) is building on success.
Every single one of the first quarterly data returns has now been completed which means that all Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) now support this new system.
In addition, two-thirds of the required case-level data have now also come in.
Frances Done, the Chair of the Youth Justice Board, said:
“Providing the YJB with information has, in the past, been a time consuming process for YOTs and secure establishments. Ultimately these improvements are about boosting the outcomes of vulnerable young people, and robust data helps support better decisions.”
Youth Justice MIS is a step towards reducing the burden for YOTs and secure establishments, helping them provide information to the YJB in a way that is faster, safer and more effective.
Youth Justice MIS was rolled out in April this year after a successful six month pilot where a selection of YOTs and secure establishments were actively involved in its design. This wide consultation created a system that ensures YOTs' statutory data returns are hassle free, while also having improved consistency and quality.
The Wiring Up Youth Justice programme team - set up to transform youth justice communications - has worked extensively to prepare YOTs and the secure estate for these changes, and this work continues post implementation.
Wiring Up Youth Justice runs an array of activities to further this work, such as ‘health checks’ for targeted support and ‘benefits realisation plan meetings’ that are face to face and help deal with change on a more individual level. Coupled with regional meetings and regular check ups over the phone, there is support throughout the year.
Hellen Richards, Information Officer at Carmarthenshire Youth Offending & Prevention Service, said:
“I remember feeling very anxious about the changes. However I found the visit from the Wiring Up team helped tremendously and am more confident about using the system.”
Ends.
Notes to editors
1. The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales. We work to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18, and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure, and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour.
2. Specifically, we advise the Secretaries of State for Justice and for Children, Schools and Families on the operation of, and standards for, the youth justice system; monitor the performance of the youth justice system; purchase places for, and place, children and young people remanded or sentenced to custody; identify and promote effective practice; make grants to local authorities or other bodies to support the development of effective practice; commission research and publish information.
3. Wiring Up Youth Justice was developed by the Youth Justice Board in 2006/07 and started a year later as a three year programme to deliver change within the youth justice system using information and communications technology (ICT). In particular, the programme has focussed on improving information-sharing, ensuring that a variety of different bodies – including youth offending teams (YOTs), the secure estate, the police and private providers – can exchange information about young people securely, accurately and efficiently. For further information, please visit www.wiringupyouthjustice.info.
