The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) is the government body that oversees the youth justice system and the provision of youth justice services.
The YJB’s role includes:
- Advising the Secretary of State on matters relating to the youth justice system;
- Using information and evidence to form an expert view of how to get the best outcomes for children who offend and for victims of crime;
- Monitoring the provision of youth justice services;
- Promoting the voice of the child within the youth justice system, including working with a youth advisory panel;
- Commissioning research and publishing information in connection with good practice.
The YJB is the sole statutory body to oversee the entire youth justice system. It provides independent, evidence-based advice and policy recommendations to drive positive outcomes for children and prevent re-offending
The YJB’s have updated their strategic priorities for 2024-2027, which are to:
- Support the improvement of Youth Justice Services in local communities;
- Focus on addressing persistent racial disparities across the Youth Justice System;
- Influence the development of policy and practice to advance the adoption of the ‘Child First’ approach throughout the Youth Justice System.