Catch22 discusses how young adult hubs can deliver better outcomes for young adults in the criminal justice system and why this approach should become standard practice.

Catch22 specialise in delivering services which build resilience and aspiration in individuals and communities across the UK. Our justice services provide young people and adults with interventions, rehabilitative support and victim services in prisons and in the community – all with the overarching aim of supporting positive transitions through and away from the criminal justice system (CJS).

A relational approach

Over 100 years of service delivery has taught us that the best way of securing positive outcomes for people in the CJS is by building strong relationships which focus on the bespoke needs of the individual. There is no one size fits all solution when it comes to rehabilitation. This is especially true for young adults in the CJS, who we know are overrepresented in the system.

At this key age, young adults are experiencing so many profound transitions, positioning them at a pivotal moment in deciding their future. Such a relational approach is fundamental to redirecting their life-path away from one of crime. Indeed, we know that loss of positive relationships is a key driver of crime in the first place, and positive relationships with practitioners can protect against violence.

Newham Youth 2 Adulthood (Y2A) Transition Hub

Since April 2024, Catch22 have been part of a multidisciplinary team, commissioned by the MoJ and MOPAC and co-located with Probation, to deliver a holistic mentoring service in Newham, called the Newham Youth 2 Adulthood (Y2A) Transition Hub. Our work supports young adults aged 18-25 on probation in Newham, and 17-year-olds who are transitioning from the youth justice system to adult probation.

Our caseworkers focus on building trusting relationships with the young people referred into the service through a developmentally appropriate and maturity informed approach. In other words, this means assessing young adult social, emotional and intellectual development and tailoring engagement to meet their needs, as opposed to basing assessment solely on their biological age.

Why are we passionate about this approach?

The 17-25 year old cohort in the CJS is unique and presents very specific needs. Many of the young people on Probation have experienced significant trauma, have mistrust of the system or are vulnerable in one way or another.

It’s clear that there’s not enough being done to provide young adults with the required level of support, opportunities and aspirations for them to make long-term positive changes. In fact, we see many thousands of young people enter the justice system and never leave – going on to lead a “revolving door” life in and out of the CJS throughout their adulthood.

Whilst it is recognised by the CJS that a maturity informed approach is required, the system is yet to fully embed a tailored, end-to-end approach which responds to the bespoke needs of young adults, acknowledging brain development, maturity and focusing on enabling positive change and progression.

This is exactly what the Newham Y2A Hub seeks to address. The Y2A hub takes a multi-agency, place-based approach to supporting the young adult cohort. By creating a safe, age appropriate, supportive environment, as well as access to additional support services (such as accommodation, therapy and emotional wellbeing) all under one roof, the Y2A Transition Hub enables young adults to build positive working relationships with professionals and reignite trust in the system. Most importantly, it gives them the tools and motivation to lead a positive, pro-social life as they enter adulthood.

Future Focus

Early evidence suggests that the multi-agency, relational approach adopted within the Newham Y2A Hub is effective in supporting positive transitions and creating hope for a brighter future amongst young adults in the CJS. Looking forward, we want to see this approach embedded as standard practice across the sector. Investment in the implementation of similar relational-based support services will have long-term impacts across the CJS, not least in reducing recidivism.

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