Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 30, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services, which sought approval of the Youth Justice Business Plan 2025-26.   The Cabinet Member Children’s Services and Education delivered a brief summary of the report’s key points.   The Head of Youth Justice and Complex Safeguarding was in attendance to present the report and to address the questions and the comments of the Cabinet Members.   The Officer informed that local authority partnerships had a statutory duty to submit a Youth Justice plan relating to the provision of Youth Justice services (YJSs). Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 set out the Youth Justice partnership’s responsibilities in producing a plan. It stated that it is the duty of each local authority, in consultation with the partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual Youth Justice plan, setting out how YJSs would be provided and funded, how they would operate, and what functions would be carried out.   The Youth Justice Partnership Management Board governed the process and production of the Youth Justice Business plan which promoted the opportunity to collectively shape the direction and delivery of the YJs, so that it best met the needs of Rochdale’s locality, children, families, victims and communities.   Resolved: 1.     That it be noted that the Youth Justice Business Plan 2025/26 had been developed by the Youth Justice Partnership Management Board; 2.     That the Youth Justice Business Plan 2025/26 be approved; 3.     That the Youth Justice Business Plan 2025/26 be recommended to Full Council for adoption.   Reason for decision: Youth Justice plans, in England only, must be signed off by Cabinet and Full Council in accordance with Regulation 4 of the ‘Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000’.   Alternatives considered and rejected: There were no alternatives to consider. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 set out the legislative requirements for the Youth Justice Partnership to complete the business plan. The plan was submitted for Cabinet and Full Council approval.