On Wednesday 27th April 2022, the AYJ with the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies hosted a hybrid event at Manchester Metropolitan University, to examine the findings of our joint research project exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the youth justice system.

Find out what we've been up to in the month of April!

Today, AYJ publishes the second of three policy briefings for our ‘Impact of COVID-19 on Youth Justice’ research project, which considers key challenges for the youth justice system that have been brought about, aggravated or accentuated by the pandemic, and demonstrates how the youth justice system is at a critical juncture.

The Young Advocates were recently invited to provide insight to press regulator IMPRESS in a consultation workshop to feed into IMPRESS’ proposed changes to their Standards Code and Guidance, ensuring that, in the context of youth justice, the code works to avoid damaging and unjust press coverage of children.

AYJ have joined a coalition of children’s charities led by AYJ member, Just for Kids Law, and have have sent a letter to the Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, calling for the Statutory Guidance on Exclusions and Guidance on Behaviour to better protect vulnerable children facing school exclusion from child criminal exploitation (CCE).

Find out what we've been up to in the month of March!

Today, AYJ publishes the first of three policy briefings for our ‘Impact of COVID-19 on Youth Justice’ research project. The briefing presents the significant risk of a surge in the number of children drawn into the youth justice system following the pandemic.

AYJ has supported a consultation response by AYJ members the Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) and Just for Kids Law (JfKL), along with many more organisations including our members The Children’s Society, Become, NYAS, and New Horizon Youth Centre.

Join AYJ and the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies on Wednesday 27th April where the findings from the UKRI-funded research project will be presented, hosted at Manchester Metropolitan University.

The new briefing, “We’ve not given up”: Young women surviving the criminal justice system, is released today as part of the Young Women’s Justice Project, with Agenda. The briefing calls on the Ministry of Justice to make urgent reforms, showing that without immediate attention, girls and young women will remain marginalised and locked in a cycle of harm, inequality, and re-offending.

Could you be a Young Advocate for youth justice? The Young Advocates project supports children and young people aged 14-20 with youth justice experience to have a stronger voice on the system by helping them to engage with their peers and shape decision-making for the better. 

Last week marked 5 years since the Youth Custody Improvement Board published their findings and recommendations – but the children’s secure estate continues to be mired in crisis. We explore progress to date in implementing the board’s recommendations and what further action is required.

Find out what we've been up to in the month of February!

This is the first report from the Young Advocates Project, which has been co-produced by children and young people with first-hand experience of the youth justice system.

In her new role, Millie will be leading the development and delivery of AYJ’s programme of policy and parliamentary work and implementing the influencing strategy.

AYJ has responded to the Ministry of Justice’s Prisons Strategy White Paper which sets out the government’s 10-year vision for a reformed prison system.

Today marks 1 year since we launched as the Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ)! The AYJ brings together 75 organisations to advocate for and with children to drive positive change in youth justice.

Find out what we've been up to in the month of January!

AYJ’s first Members’ Meeting of 2022 focused on the urgent action required to address the worsening racial disparity in the youth justice system.

Find out what we've been up to in the month of December!