YOTs to get extra training on changes
Neil Puffett
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Additional training is to be provided to help youth offending team (YOT) staff prepare for the introduction of the Scaled Approach system, it has emerged.
The extra support comes on the back of concerns aired by the Association of YOT Managers (AYM) that the course could have been better designed.
The Scaled Approach system will require YOTs to tailor interventions with young offenders according to their likelihood of re-offending and is due to be introduced alongside the youth rehabilitation order (YRO) in November.
Mike Thomas, chair of AYM, said the additional training would involve the designated Scaled Approach lead for each YOT taking part in regional training sessions. This is on top of basic training, which began in April and involves staff spending up to 100 hours in front of a computer.
"The YJB has moved considerably on the basis of the issues we raised with it over the past 12 months," said Thomas. "It has agreed with our original argument that we need regional training."
It has also emerged that the YJB is considering changes to YOTs' youth justice plans that would see them cover a period of three years, rather than the current one-year period.
"This would allow us the benefit of being able to plan appropriately over a longer period of time, but it would have to be accompanied by three-year funding allocations in order for it to work," said Thomas.
A YJB spokesman said the sessions are "briefing events" designed to complement the computer-based training sessions.
