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In November 1999 the Scottish Cabinet
commissioned a Review of Youth Crime in Scotland. The
review group reports including recommendations was published
and circulated to authorities and other agencies in
June 2000. That report identified three main tasks for
Local Authorities.
1. To adapt a national framework
to develop inter-disciplinary strategic local plans
where they do not already exist, which will deliver
the necessary repertoire of services.
2. To undertake audits of the main
resources of funding and training needs across the
Court and Hearing System.
3. Implement the local plan and
report on progress to the Scottish Executive.
This Plan has been prepared in relation to the first
two tasks listed above
The following principles have been
agreed and underpin the Strategic Plan.
3.1 We recognise that this age
group has special problems related to maturity and
that many of these problems are transitional.
3.2 We recognise a multi-agency,
approach is required to deal, no just with the offences
but with employment, education, training, housing
etc. Since persistent offenders in the 14-18 age range
have a range of needs, a range of responses should
be offered.
3.3 We recognise that individuals
should receive a tailored response which meets their
particular needs. Services should be designed to meet
the needs of the person, not just serve the needs
of the agency providing the service.
3.4 We recognise the system should
aim to empower the young person.
3.5 We recognise that the “What
Works” agenda should be adopted in order to
address the offending behaviour, criminagenic needs
of this age group.
3.6 We recognise that standards
should be set and effectiveness monitored and independently
evaluated.
4.1 This strategy has two broad aims
(a) A reduction in offending behaviour
by the young persons targeted within the strategy.
(b) The rehabilitation of young
offenders within their own communities
5.1 We will have been successful
in meeting our aims if the following occurs
5.1.1 In relation to reducing offending
behaviour there will have been either of the following.
(a) Reducing in LSIR Score
(b) Reducing in seriousness of offences
(c) Reduction in convictions
(d) Reduction in referrals to Hearing / Courts
5.1.2 In relation to rehabilitation
there will have been either of the following
(a) Continuation in mainstream
education
(b) Take-up of further education, training or employment
(c) Take-up of other recreational resources in the
community
(d) Take-up of accommodation by the 16year age group
where appropriate.
The working group identified the
following issues which require to be tackled if Youth
Crime is to reduce in South Ayrshire.
6.1 School
Exclusion
The link between school exclusion and antisocial behaviour
is well researched* and known. Quite simply, children
who have been excluded from school are much more likely
to engage in criminal behaviour than those who continue
in education.
6.2 Recreation
Exclusion
Recreation appears to be the most common criminogenic
need identified in the assessment of all offenders including
16 & 17 year olds. It exceeds other criminogenic
factors such as drugs, alcohol and peer influences in
the frequency that it occurs within LSIR assessments^.
Youth workers within the council report this to be a
major problem leading to antisocial behaviour. Many
of the local recreational facilities are priced out
of the range for young people, not available during
times that young people would use them or are “block
booked” by adults for 5 a-side football etc.
The experience of youth projects such as Target Leisure
and Kincaidston Café demonstrate the effect that
geed quality, well organised recreation can have in
reducing offending and alcohol and drug use.
6.3 Database
In order to plan services effectively we require to
have accurate detailed information on the size, distribution,
type, cause and nature of youth offending referrals
to courts and hearings in South Ayrshire.
6.4 Victim’s
Perspective
It is essential if the community is to have confidence
in any strategy to reduce Youth Crime that victims needs
are fully recognised and taken into account. To effect
this South Ayrshire Victim Support Scheme are represented
on the steering group. Victim awareness work is currently
taken in all programmes provided by NCH on the Crossover
project for serious young offenders. In addition the
Reparation and Mediation Scheme provided by SACRO is
aimed directly at meeting the needs of both victims
and young people who offend.
6.5 Effective
Intervention
It is essential if the community is to have confidence
in a strategy to reduce Youth Crime, that all of us
who work with the Young Offenders employ methods of
intervention which are effective in reducing offending
behaviour.
6.6 Assessment
In order to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour
the assessment process must be capable of identifying
those specific factors which contribute to offending
ie. The criminogenic needs of the young person. We are
committed to piloting a new assessment tool, LSIR Youth,
which has been developed to aid this process. All staff
working with young offenders will be trained in the
use of this tool and its usefulness reviewed annually
in conjunction with our voluntary sector partners.
6.7 Targeting
Resources
The strategy has at it’s disposal a wide range
of resources, these resources require to be used effectively
and our intervention packages tailored for the individual
needs of young people.
6.8 Senior
Practitioner (Youth Crime Review)
The broad duties in relation to the strategy of implementation,
evaluation, coordination and review require to be clearly
located within the remit of a single post.
6.9 Youth
Support Worker (Alcohol and Drugs)
Although a small number of young offenders in South
Ayrshire are opiate users the main drug associated with
offending behaviour continues to be alcohol.
6.10 Monitoring
/ Evaluation Arrangement
Each of the two new series provided by NCH (Scotland)
and SACRO will be subject to specific monitoring and
evaluation as stated within the service level agreements.
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View Assessment Process - Matching Resources to Risk
of Re-Offending
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