Amania Scott-Samuels - Five things I have learned at the AYJ

As her final week with us draws to a close, Amania Scott-Samuels, our Policy and Engagement Assistant, shares reflections on some of the things she has learned in her time at the AYJ.

Choosing the Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) as my first job as a postgraduate was driven by my strong belief about the need for children and young people to have a say in the systems and processes affecting them. AYJ brings together the voices of a range of individuals interested in justice to analyse, challenge and scrutinise. Debunking a historically oppressive system, sharing that knowledge with other young people from marginalised backgrounds, and empowering them to do the same has always been my goal, and my time at the AYJ allowed my combined passion for policy influencing and youth engagement to meet. Here are 5 (of the many) things I learned while at the AYJ.

More voices are better than one, all voices are better than some

AYJ works to build consensus between frontline workers, academics, researchers, decision makers, children and young people, enabling them to engage in work, debate and reform together. Increasing understanding, empathy and awareness at every level is what will ensure that future policy is well-informed and evidence based. What makes the alliance so strong is the multitude and ever-growing room full of diverse voices. Greater than the sum of its parts, AYJ’s membership works on behalf the communities of children and young people that wouldn’t otherwise be heard, connected through many values and ideas, and working to realise them across the country. I’ve learned that finding likeminded people as passionate about positive change as you are, stands you in good stead to be able to do something about it, whilst increasing the likelihood of having people around you that can uplift you when the team or your efforts take a hit or two.

The resilience of children and young people is remarkable

Although in some contexts I’m still considered ‘justice affected’ and a ‘young person’, working with and for children and young people is always awe-inspiring to me. In the Young Advocates I have seen and been motivated by their strength, tenacity and drive to create change prevail in the face of unspeakable adversity. I am inspired daily by their passion, bounce-back and inquisitiveness. They have shown me that life is harder for children nowadays for a range of reasons, they have kept me laughing and reminded me to relax and given me something to look forward to. Working so closely with the Young Advocates has further enabled me to read and interpret developments in youth justice through their eyes. I have learned that while resilience doesn’t heal trauma, wipe records clean, or change public perceptions, it keeps the flames flickering enough that the fire doesn’t go out and that voice isn’t left unheard. This is why personal development, empowerment and opportunities to amplify these voices are so important.

A strong message, necessary pressure and visibility goes a long way

Influence and impact to me are the macro and the micro levels of change, and my time at the AYJ has demonstrated the different ways this is possible. For example, my contribution to a briefing about how childhood criminal records are undermining positive developments across youth justice, built on long-term and consistent pressure on decision makers to get behind childhood criminal record reform. Ultimately, it is the strong, powerful and consistent beliefs and communication of such beliefs of the AYJ - and its members - that position the organisation to have influence at every level of the justice system. The AYJ’s approach to its core priority areas taught me how important it is to know what you stand for, and to take every opportunity to remind people of its significance. Not only does passionately shouting about your views from the rooftop raise awareness on the issues, but it builds credibility for when the time comes to consult on and explore the topics further. This is where, how and why change can happen.

The line between personal and professional is sometimes an emotive one

For me, the hardest thing about working for the AYJ on issues so personal to me was repeatedly reading and writing about articles and concepts that hit too close to home and concerned people I grew up with. You can’t leave ‘lived experience’ at the door and careful consideration needs to be given to the way we look after those whose work largely overlaps with their life. With more people with ‘lived experience’ and from marginalised backgrounds working within the sector, emotive elements and triggers should be expected, respected and reflected on. My time at the AYJ has shown me the importance of safe spaces, listening and learning, trustworthy teammates, as well as time away from the screen, the headlines and the inbox. It benefits all of us to value the insight of all of us. Organisations working in this space should continue to have open ears, arms, and hearts to accommodate and adapt to these insights. Work to drive positive change in youth justice is undeniably enriched by acknowledging and incorporating lived experiences, but having experience of these issues is not the only thing that should give them personal importance. Children’s rights, racial equality and social justice will only be realised when the whole of society takes these issues personally.

There is always work to be done

A big selling point about the AYJ for me was its acknowledgement of the change needed across the entire youth justice system, and the awareness that incremental change takes time, requires persistence, but can ultimately have a positive impact on hundreds and thousands of children’s lives. Calling things what they are (a child, wrong, racism), challenging and scrutinising ourselves, being at the forefront of debate and engaging in ‘difficult’ discussions is important. Numerous bills, reports, and reviews can bring about feelings of hopelessness. Racial inequalities persist and remain evident in poor outcomes for Black and brown children, worsening school exclusion issues, over half of children in custody being from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and systems and institutions refusing to admit their inherent problems. In the youth justice system, issues such as worsening child criminal exploitation, a slow resurgence of punitive ideals and court backlogs give further cause for concern. In amidst all this, the AYJ represents a sailing ship, with an ever-growing number of crew members and lasting morale, unafraid to ask for answers, share the platform, or empower and inform youth. It has been an honour to have been introduced so many individuals and organisations with the same vision, and it certainly makes me hopeful for the future.

Thank you to everyone who made my time at the AYJ so special and enjoyable, and in particular to Pippa, Millie and Millie for your ongoing support and encouragement, it has been a real pleasure.