The Isle of Wight Area Partnership has achieved Youth Justice SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Quality Lead status with a Child First Commendation at the first time of asking.
Awarded by the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers (AYOTM), this is a significant achievement and a testament to the commitment and dedication of a large multi-disciplinary team working together around Island children in youth justice pathways, or at risk of offending.
Demonstrating consistency in best practice
The Youth Justice SEND Quality Lead status provides a quality award to Youth Justice Services that are able to demonstrate and evidence consistency in best practice and robust partnership working to improve outcomes for children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities.
Each service is required to evidence how they respond effectively to children’s individual needs, through effective and child-centred communication techniques, and their ability to provide creative engagement opportunities.
Working with 10 to 17-year-olds
The Isle of Wight Area Partnership works with young people aged between 10 and 17 years who come into contact with the criminal justice system and supports them to help make changes in their lives so they do not re-offend or cause further harm to the community.
These children often have additional needs and vulnerabilities and are supported by a dedicated multi-agency team that includes social workers, youth justice officers and prevention officers, an education officer, a police officer, a probation officer, a mental health worker, parenting officer and restorative justice workers.
“Strong strategic leadership”
In making the award, the AYOTM described the preventative work by the Youth Justice Service as “exemplary” and praised “strong strategic leadership” from a committed leadership team.
Other examples of the partnership’s work that contributed to the award include:
- Comprehensive screening, end-to-end assessment and personal plans for every child in youth justice pathways, ensuring that no child slips through the net.
- A multi-agency approach to identifying and acknowledging high level complex needs, and then commissioning appropriate support, ensures that children do not slip through the net.
- The creation of a Local Area Partnership SEND Board.
“An amazing help and incredibly supportive”
No one can give the service a more genuine and heartfelt endorsement than a parent:
Having support from the Youth Justice Service has helped my son build trusting working relationships…He has been able to access further support through the Youth Justice Service with inclusion for substance abuse. He has also been inspired to work and has now completed a CV and cover letter with the Youth Justice Service.
“Our youth justice officer has been an amazing help and incredibly supportive for my son and I. She has made the biggest impact to our lives. Where many professionals haven’t been able to engage with my son over the years, she has. Thank you!”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
