The board was set up under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 as one of the first evidences of Labour’s pre-1997 election pledge to be “tough on crime, touch on the causes of crime”. With the creation of the multi-agency youth offending teams, it has been responsible for one of the far most far-ranging of all the government’s social policies.
It advises the Home Secretary on how the youth justice system fares in preventing youth offending, as well as on drawing up standards for the work of YOTs and secure juvenile estate, and publishing and monitoring performance indicators. It is responsible for monitoring the system, including the work of the teams, the youth court and the delivery of secure accommodation. The board also identifies and monitors good practice, including commissioning research and providing grants for developing best practice.
Its founding principles are early intervention; effective local systems of new ways of inter-agency co-operation; strong intervention by the board when local agencies are failing; and a co-ordinated approach across government to tackle youth offending as an urgent priority.
Chief executive: John Drew
Chair: Frances Done
Address: 11 Carteret Street, London SW1H 9DL
Telephone: 020 7271 3033
Website: www.yjb.gov.uk/en-gb/
Other UK equivalents: The board covers Wales