AYJ Monthly Newsletter: November 2021
AYJ
NEWS
AYJ members’ introductory meeting with Alan Webster, Head of the MoJ Youth Justice Policy Unit
Last week, we hosted a meeting for AYJ Members to hear from and pose questions to Alan Webster, Head of the Youth Justice Policy Unit at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). What followed was an open discussion between Alan and AYJ members, with members posing questions around secure placements, early intervention, child criminal exploitation, policing, girls, the need to take a cross-governmental approach, and challenge expectations around more children coming into contact with the justice system.
Young Advocates Podcast with Art Against Knives
The AYJ and Leaders Unlocked Youth Justice Young Advocates recently travelled to Art Against Knives in London to meet the young producers of the One Mic Real Talk podcast and recorded an insightful and powerful 3-part podcast series. Each of the three episodes, on the areas of stereotyping, education and warning signs, and jail, showcase a passionate and lively discussion, providing thoughtful reflections on society today from the young people’s perspectives. Find all three episodes here. Thank you to Art Against Knives for facilitating these discussions!
AYJ EXPLAINS: House of Lords Committee Stage
The House of Lords Committee Stage for the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill came to end in November. As Peers decide which amendments they should prioritise at Report Stage, due to take place from 8th December, we wanted to take a moment to highlight and summarise the important work Peers have done to raise youth justice issues during Committee Stage, to thank them for tabling amendments that would significantly improve the Bill for children, and call on them to keep pushing these issues at Report Stage. This ‘AYJ Explains’ summary can be found here and covers various topics including custodial sentencing, age of criminal responsibility, remand, criminal records, virtual justice, the Serious Violence Duty, and more.
AYJ
VIEWS
AYJ Evidence Submission to the Commission on Young Lives
Recently, the Commission opened its 'call for evidence’, calling for contributions from frontline, service and system leaders and commissioners, and those with lived experience, to help identify trends, new practice models and gather ideas for practice and policy solutions. At the AYJ, six principles for youth justice policy underpin our way of working. We have used these as a framework for our submission to the Commission’s call for evidence which focuses on children in, or at risk of involvement in, the justice system. Thank you to all AYJ members who took the time to support our submission.
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