On 25th April 2023, a selection of the Young Advocates attended the first evidence session of the APPG on Children in Police Custody’s Inquiry into Achieving the Rights of Children in Police Custody.

AYJ comment on Urgent Notification process invoked for Cookham Wood Young Offenders Institution

Find out what we’ve been up to in the months of February, March and April!

We’ve published an Evidence Review providing a comprehensive overview of the policy context and existing literature surrounding the experiences of young people in transition in the criminal justice system, as part of our research project funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust.

On Tuesday 19th April, the AYJ hosted our quarterly Members’ Meeting, featuring the Executive Director of the Youth Custody Service Ed Cornmell. Read more about the meeting here.

After the success of their first youth-led report, the Young Advocates have been travelling to different areas of England and Wales to schools and secure facilities to conduct a new round of their own first-hand research.

Comment from AYJ Interim Chief Executive Saqib Deshmukh following the publication of data analysis from the Children’s Commissioner for England on the strip search of children in England and Wales.

Today, the final civil society report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, as part of its examination of the UK, has been published. 97 children’s charities from across England have warned that critical children’s rights issues must be urgently addressed by the UK Government to prevent worsening impacts on the most vulnerable children.

This month marks 2 years since we launched as the Alliance for Youth Justice! Our Interim CEO Saqib Deshmukh reflects on our achievements over the past year.

Find out what we’ve been up to in the months of December and January!

On Tuesday 24th January, the AYJ hosted our quarterly Members’ Meeting, featuring the Children’s Commissioner for England Rachel de Souza, and her Director of Policy, Planning and Delivery Juliette Cammaerts.

In line with our goal, as highlighted in our Strategy, to expand our communications to a greater variety of audiences, we are delighted to unveil the new AYJ Instagram account.

The AYJ has worked with members, stakeholders and children and young people to identify four priority areas for our policy influencing work across 2023-25: Rethinking policing; Explaining and reforming racial disparities; Ensuring custody is a last resort; and Reframing violence.

Read about our new strategic priorities for 2023-25

Introducing our new three-year project funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust, examining the experiences of children and young people turning 18 while in contact with the justice system, exploring issues spanning youth and adult systems.

Find out what we’ve been up to in the month of November!

The AYJ has joined over 80 organisations in making Joint Statement in response to Universal Periodic Review, which highlighted a wide range of areas where the UK Government is failing to meet its international legal obligations.

On 15th November, the AYJ team, Leaders Unlocked and one representative from the Young Advocates met with Change Factory. Representatives from Change Factory were visiting London, and other countries, to build an international network for youth justice.

Find out what we’ve been up to in the month of October!

Find out what we’ve been up to in the month of September!