Congratulations to the Isle of Wight Area Partnership for attaining Youth Justice SEND Quality Lead Status with a Child First Commendation
The Isle of Wight Area Partnership have attained Quality Lead status with a Child First Commendation at the first time of asking. This is a significant achievement, and a testament to the commitment and dedication of a large multi-disciplinary team working together around children in youth justice pathways, or at risk of offending.
A stable and long-standing management team collaborate extremely well at all levels: Outstanding working relationships are now underpinned by protocols, Terms of Reference and Inter-service agreements.
Effective practice is extensive, and includes:
- Acknowledging the prevalence of SLCN (Speech Language and Communication Needs) amongst children at risk of permanent exclusion, and entering youth justice pathways, Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) Team works across education, SEND and Youth Justice Services to train and offer advice and guidance. Youth Justice Workers have also taken accredited professional training qualifications delivered by ELKLAN. It is widely accepted that a co-located SaLT provision would enhance effective provision still further.
- Comprehensive screening, end-to-end assessment and personal education plans for every child in youth justice pathways, ensuring that no child slips through the net.
- Screening and assessment is backed up by provision: two multi-agency organisational structures that enable a needs-driven, Child-First approach to any child in youth justice pathways, or at risk of entering a youth justice pathway:
- Isle of Wight Joint Decision-Making Panel (JDMP) sits once a week. This multi-agency approach to identifying and acknowledging high level complex needs, and then commissioning appropriate support, ensures that children do not slip through the net.
- Preventative work by the Youth Justice Service is exemplary, offering a Youth Crime Prevention Service for children 10-17 who are believed to be at risk of offending or anti-social behaviour. Referrals to this service can be and are made, by SEND, Social, Health and Child Looked After teams. Children that are open to the Education and Inclusion Service and at risk of school exclusion are prioritised.
- Strategic Leadership is strong. The Youth Justice Board is chaired by the Director of Children’s Services. A recent initiative has been the creation of a Local Area Partnership SEND Board. Recognition was given to a whole system approach, as described in the Government’s SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan. The YJS, SEN and S&L teams are members of this board and will play an active role in ensure the needs of children on the IOW are understood and met.
No one can give the service a more genuine and heartfelt endorsement than a parent:
“My son is a very complex individual with learning disabilities, autism and ADHD… I knew his behaviour was out of control and he was becoming criminalized. I felt helpless. Being able to do the Youth Crime Prevention referral myself allowed me to do something about the situation.
“Having support from the youth justice service has helped my son build trusting working relationships…He has been able to access further support through the youth justice service with inclusion for substance abuse. He has also been inspired to work and has now completed a cv and cover letter with the youth justice service.
“(XXX) has been an amazing help and incredibly supportive for my son and I. She has made the biggest impact to our lives. Where many professionals haven’t been able to engage with my son over the years she has. Thank you!”
Well done Isle of Wight Area Partnership! It has been a privilege and a pleasure working with you, and to be able to acknowledge such significant and sustained partnership practice around the child.
Others can learn much from your outstanding practice.
Awards issued in partnership with Association of Youth Offending Team Managers (AYM)
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