Havering Council has officially approved the Havering Youth Justice Plan for the 2026-27 period, outlining a comprehensive strategy for local youth justice services. The plan, which details how services will be delivered and governed, was given the green light during a council meeting on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
The approved plan emphasizes evaluating services based on their impact on children, young people, families, and the wider community, aligning with the Youth Justice Inspection Framework. It includes a detailed action plan and an outcomes framework designed to track the needs, risks, and vulnerabilities of young people, as well as the support provided and the results achieved.
Key Initiatives and Performance Metrics
The action plan for 2026-27 includes specific initiatives aimed at addressing identified needs, risks, and vulnerabilities among young people. The outcomes framework will monitor progress in areas such as reducing risk, increasing protective factors, and improving outcomes in education, training, and employment, well-being, resilience, safeguarding, community safety, and the likelihood of future offending.
To evaluate the impact of these services, a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) will be employed. These include tracking first-time entrants to the youth justice system, rates of re-offending, and engagement in education, training, and employment. The plan will also monitor the completion and timeliness of interventions and assess outcomes for specific groups, such as children in care. Performance dashboards and monthly reports will be used to track these key indicators.
Multi-Agency Oversight
Strategic oversight of the youth justice services will be provided by a multi-agency youth justice management board. This board's mandate includes reviewing performance data, case audits, and feedback to ensure interventions are effective and resources are allocated appropriately. This oversight is further supported by quality assurance activities, scrutiny from the Havering Safeguarding Children's Partnership, and democratic oversight through the Council's governance arrangements, including Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The plan also highlights the importance of involving and supporting families in the youth justice process, with an emphasis on judging services by their impact on children, young people, families, and communities. The outcomes framework will track the support provided to children and young people, aiming to improve their well-being and resilience, which will indirectly benefit families.
The full details of the plan can be found in the Public reports pack 22nd-Jul-2026 19.30 Council.