‘Race’, Disproportionality and Diversion from the YJS
CCYJR member Dr Anne Marie Day was a co-investigator on a major project that explored racial disparities in diversion from the Youth Justice System (YJS).
Children from minority ethnic backgrounds are overrepresented in the YJS. This is partly explained by decisions about whether children who come to police attention are diverted through informal measures, or receive formal outcomes (charge or caution). The number of children entering the YJS reduced significantly in recent years. This has been supported by the adoption of the ‘Child First’ approach by the Youth Justice Board (YJB).
‘Child First’ sought to prevent the unnecessary criminalisation of children by taking a more progressive and inclusive approach to youth justice. This included an emphasis on diversion from prosecution. This research examined decision-making at the gateway to the YJS (initial contact with the police, including arrest). The mixed-method study was completed in two parts. The first stage involved a review of all existing literature on racial disproportionality across the youth justice system, focusing on the gateway to the system and reduction strategies. A survey of 154 Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) in England and Wales was used to determine the nature of diversion approaches, the rationale for using them, their outcomes, and examples of good.
Depending on the quality and availability of administrative data, the research team’s second stage of work involved detailed quantitative analysis in five case study sites and interviews with influential practitioners. The project’s outputs aimed at achieving maximum impact with policymakers and practitioners. Briefing meetings with the Youth Justice Board, National Police Chiefs Council, the College of Policing, and HM Inspectorate of Probation fed the project’s results into the development and implementation of policy. Briefing papers and seminars summarised and shared findings with policymakers and practitioners working in the YJS.