Social work has ‘key role in resettlement’

Social workers have a critical role to play in the resettlement of young people coming out of custody into the community, according to a plan published by the Youth Justice Board this week.

The YJB’s action plan on youth resettlement says social services should be involved at the earliest stages in the cases of looked-after children and care leavers who have been in custody.

It includes targets on ensuring that prevention of homelessness for young offenders is put into children and young people’s plans drawn up by children’s services.

While there are “no specific resources” to support implementation of the action plan, it advises organisations to identify new sources of funding.

Meanwhile, a Bristol scheme offering support to young offenders from  ethnic minorities is to be rolled out nationally. The Right Track Initiative, run by The Children’s Society, has received £160,000 from the Department for Education and Skills to develop work on challenging inequality and reducing reoffending.