The Youth Justice System's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications and impacts for policy, practice and justice-involved children

Lead Research Organisation: Manchester Metropolitan University
Department Name: Sociology

Abstract

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be societal implications for all children. However, for those in the youth justice system the impacts are likely to be exceptional. A disproportionate number of these children have complex needs, are from BAME backgrounds, have experienced school exclusions, and many come from groups with generally worse outcomes than average, including those with exposure to adverse childhood experiences (Bateman, 2017). The youth justice system is facing a strange hiatus; on the one hand, criminal trials have been delayed and arrests are down, while on the other, existing issues of BAME disproportionality, mental health, domestic abuse and school engagement are areas of acute risk for justice-involved children. There is an urgent need to develop a clear understanding of the impact of the pandemic on these children and those who work with them. Indeed, there has been a lack of focus on this group both from a political and media perspective.

We do know that the pandemic has had unprecedented implications and consequences for the youth justice system, from how professionals have had to adapt to remote working, the delay of criminal trials, and the safety of children in custodial settings. Liaising with our youth justice colleagues, we know that each stage of the youth justice system has responded differently. This project will bring together statutory partners, third sector organisations, senior national policy/decision-makers, and children with lived experiences. It will provide a unique opportunity to gather insight and to produce impactful recommendations. By involving and working with children in our project, we will address the usual top-down research hierarchies inherent in youth justice research and ensure that children's voices are prioritised.
 
Description This project has for the first time in an English and Welsh context, explored the impact of Covid-19 on each stage of the youth justice system (courts, community and custody).
Through approx. 200 interviews with youth justice professionals, practitioners and justice-involved children, the project has established that Covid has significantly impacted the youth justice system.
The pandemic has presented myriad challenges for youth justice professionals - they have continued to respond quickly and with agility to adapting service delivery and provision throughout the different stages of the pandemic, although service provision and delivery has not resumed to 'normal' levels and many council buildings (YOT offices) remain closed

The digital divide has been a considerable challenge for professionals and for children. Professionals had mixed views about the appropriateness and efficacy of remote service delivery with children: some experienced high levels of engagement with children, while others did not. Professionals were concerned that the welfare needs of children could not be met adequately through remote working.

Consideration should be given to adopting a public health approach to address the impact of Covid-19 on the welfare and vulnerabilities of justice-involved children, with a particular focus on CCE and domestic abuse. The nature of the problem needs to be identified and understood and responses need to be predicated on what works, and informed by theory, data and analysis. Recognising and addressing the impact should not be the sole responsibility of the youth justice system and should be joined up with plans including schools, children's services, youth services, health services, housing and grass roots organisations.

Recognition that children are likely to be traumatised by their exposure to increased vulnerabilities during the pandemic is needed. Professionals need to acknowledge this trauma and personalised approaches should be co-designed with children to ensure that their trauma is addressed. The commissioning of clinical support is something should be considered by Health Services. Children should be supported and encouraged to participate in the planning of post-pandemic service provision and delivery. Encouraging and supporting children to tell their stories and describe their experiences and opinions, provides an opportunity for youth justice professionals and relevant organisations.
Exploitation Route The outcomes will be relevant to public services including, youth justice, education and health. Government departments and organisations including the MoJ, the Home Office, the Youth Justice Board, HMIP, HMCTS and the Youth Custody Service. Charities and grass roots organisations will also benefit from the research.

The outcomes can be used by all of the above to re-think the youth justice system in terms of the types of provision that the system offers, the way in which provision is offered, children's experiences of court, and the secure estate's custody regimes. Children's mental health services and education provision could also be considered.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice
URL https://www.mmu.ac.uk/mcys/current-research--activities/covid-19-and-youth-justice/
 
Description The impact of the project's findings are just beginning to emerge. The project consisted of 6 work packages and a research brief and policy brief has been produced for each empirical work package including: Youth offending teams (x4), courts (x2) and custody (x2). These research briefings have been disseminated at a national level, each been read and downloaded on average 1000 times. MMU is hosting a an end of project event for approx. 200 delegates, including government officials. We expect the findings to be used and for impact to occur at a more substantial rate once the project is completed in May 2022 and beyond.
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Government, Democracy and Justice
Impact Types Societal,Policy & public services
 
Description Presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact An invited presentation to the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies seminar series. The audience were a mix of professionals, academics and university students. It sparked debate about the future of the youth justice system in a post covid world.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited presentation to the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers AGM. Questions were taken from a professional audience after the presentation. It sparked discussion about the experiences of delivering youth justice services during the covid-19 pandemic. Professionals commented that it was very helpful to hear the research findings and that they had resonated with their own professional experiences. They expressed an interest in hearing more about the project and its findings.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Workshop for youth justice professionals 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A workshop was offered to all Greater Manchester youth justice professionals in June 2020 to discuss the interim research findings. It provided an opportunity for professionals to listen and learn from each others experiences during the pandemic.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020