Welcome to the Alliance for Youth Justice!
AYJ is one of the most influential organisations campaigning for reform of the youth justice system in England and Wales. However, we are only ever as strong as the members we represent. Your expertise, insights and input are fundamental to what we do, and we look forward to your contributions enriching our work.
In this document we set out more about how we work and, importantly, how you can get involved. If you have any questions, or just want to get in touch, our Interim CEO, Saqib Deshmukh is contactable at saqib.deshmukh@ayj.org.uk.
About AYJ
Formed in the 1990s, AYJ now has over 75 not-for-profit organisational members, as well as a small number of individuals who are associates. Details of all of our members can be found here and you can read our Articles of Association here.
The day-to-day operations are run by our small staff team – Saqib Deshmukh (Interim CEO), Millie Harris (Policy Manager), and Mia Edwards (Policy and Communications Officer). Our Board is chaired by Lesley Tregear. Further details of the staff and Board team can be found here.
Our work
AYJ influences youth justice law, policy and practice. We do this by working both reactively (responding to developments) and proactively (advocating changes we feel are necessary). Our priority areas for policy influencing for our current strategic period (2023-25) are:
We generally work by:
Responding to consultations and calls for evidence from the government, parliament, and statutory bodies (like the Youth Justice Board);
Regularly meeting with senior civil servants, Ministers and other decision-makers;
Working with MPs and Peers to raise issues in Parliament;
Publishing reports, research and practice guidance;
Generating media coverage.
Getting involved
There are a range of ways to get involved with AYJ’s work. While the typical ways in which members work with AYJ are laid out below, we welcome suggestions for other forms of involvement.
Contributing advice, information and expertise
The insights and experiences of our members are at the heart of AYJ. By contributing advice, information and expertise, members ensure AYJ’s positions are grounded in evidence and experience. You can contribute your expertise in discussions of AYJ’s work and policy at members’ meetings or by commenting on our publications (see below). Staff may ask to speak to you ahead of drafting AYJ publications to inform their approach, but please do feel free to be proactive too – just get in touch, we want to hear from you!
Attending Members’ Meetings
AYJ members’ meetings take place every quarter. Details of each meeting are contained in your weekly members’ bulletin (see below).
Members may send as many delegates as they wish. The purpose of members’ meetings is to:
Hear from our high-profile external speakers – recent guests have included the CEO of the Youth Justice Board, the Children’s Commissioner for England, and senior Ministry of Justice civil servants;
Stay up to date on policy and parliamentary activity, and AYJ’s work;
Discuss how AYJ should respond to external events, including what our policy should be, and tell us the areas you think we should be working on;
Hear about other members’ work and tell them about your own;
Network with other members.
Contributing to our publications
AYJ regularly publishes consultation responses, reports and briefings. All members have the opportunity to comment, with draft documents sent to all members with a timeframe for returning comments. All member comments are considered and, the vast majority of the time, incorporated. To ensure that publications are always grounded in members’ views, three “critical readers” are nominated from the membership for each document. Critical readers comment on the draft and sign-off the final document on behalf of all members. Critical readers usually have expertise on the relevant subject; however, if you would like to be a critical reader, just let us know and please do read our publications protocol which explains the processes and restrictions around publications in more detail.
2. Staying up to date with our weekly newsletter
As a member of AYJ, you’ll receive a weekly newsletter updating you on developments in youth justice news, policy and parliamentary activity, as well as AYJ’s work. A “members noticeboard” section allows you to update other members on your work too and is a great way to reach out to the sector. There’s no limit on the number of people in your organisation who can receive the newsletter. Please email info@ayj.org.uk if there’s something you would like us to include in the newsletter, or if you’d like it sent to more people in your organisation.
3. Shaping AYJ’s policies, priorities and activities
AYJ’s policies and work priorities are determined by the membership and board members. Policies on emerging issues are discussed at our members’ meetings and set out in documents sent to members for comment (see above). If you would like AYJ to work on a given issue, it is best either to raise the matter at a members’ meeting or to contact Millie Harris to discuss this beforehand. From time to time we also bring together smaller groups of members to inform and develop AYJ's strategy and recommendations on policy issues. Details of any meetings will be included in the bulletin, with all members welcome.
4. Attending meetings with AYJ
Members with particular expertise or interest in a given area sometimes accompany AYJ staff to meetings with policy makers, officials and parliamentarians. Please get in touch if you would like to do so.
AYJ staff and board look forward to working with you in the coming years.
If you have any questions, or just want to get in touch please do contact Saqib at: saqib.deshmukh@ayj.org.uk or 07481 855 127.