16 October 2024
T2A welcomes the publication of this report. It is a positive sign that young adults are increasingly on statutory agencies’, practitioners’, and policy makers’ agendas.
It confirms that while there has been a fall in the number of young adults in contact with probation services, young adults are still disproportionately represented on the probation caseload (19.5%) compared to the general population (9.6%). This decrease is to be welcomed and we see it as a real opportunity for the creation of more distinct services for young adults for them to be supported as they make the transition to adulthood.
T2A was pleased to provide a sounding board for HMPPS as they developed their policy on young adults embodied in the 2022 Young Adult Probation Framework. The Framework pulls together the evidence on maturity and provides a central resource for guidance to probation practitioners and managers on how best to work with young adults. Whilst HMPPS has stated its commitment to a holistic, trauma-informed approach for young adults, probation services have had numerous other priorities, including reorganisation, staff shortages, and resulting capacity issues. We would like to see HMPPS refresh the Framework, as well as relaunching it, along with a clear statement on how they plan to evaluate the outcomes of the Framework given the challenges around data identified by the Probation Inspectorate.
This Inspectorate report references the Target Operating Model which outlines expectations for the delivery of probation services. Early iterations of the model included recognising young adults as a cohort requiring specialist pathways, as is the case for women (for whom a dedicated Women’s Justice Board has recently been announced), and those with neurodiverse needs. This was not implemented, but T2A would welcome a specialist young adults’ pathway being put back on the table now that there are fewer young adults entering the system. A model for co-commissioning appropriate community-based provision is also urgently needed.
Young adults and practitioners spoken to as part of the report emphasised the importance of probation officers taking time to build trusting relationships by listening and understanding. T2A continues to argue for smaller caseloads for those working with young adults: that additional investment paves the way for a move away from crime. The ‘plasticity’ of young adults’ brains means that the early years of adulthood are a particularly good time for learning, personal growth and the development of a pro-social identity and for ensuring reliability and time-keeping etc.
We would also like HMPPS to look at how practitioners can have greater freedom and flexibility to exercise their professional judgment and creativity to engage effectively with young adults. The MoJ/MOPAC Newham hub is an example of how to do this. HMPPS and Police and Crime Commissioners could co-commission specialist services that plug gaps in the criminal justice and other systems that many young adults fall through.
The Inspectorate report raises important concerns around race and gender which are also a particular focus for T2A. We are disappointed to see that delivering race and gender-sensitive approaches remains a significant challenge, brought to life by the poor experiences of both young adults and staff recorded in the report.
T2A is very happy to speak to HMPPS as it seeks to apply and embed the Framework and evaluate the efficacy of the Target Operating Model. We are encouraged that HMPPS seeks to promote the evidence on young adults to practitioners through its training and online resources. T2A is currently working with HMPPS and Revolving Doors to deliver a series of seminars for probation practitioners focused on the transition to adulthood.