Derby City Council has launched its Youth Justice Plan for 2025–26, setting out how the city will continue to support children and young people, reduce offending, protect victims and strengthen communities.

The plan, a statutory requirement under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, ensures Derby secures over £500,000 in Youth Justice Board funding to deliver vital services. Developed with the voices of children, young people, families, staff, volunteers, and local partners, it adopts a ‘Child First’ approach which recognises children as children and focusing on their strengths to help them achieve positive change and move away from crime.

Key priorities for the year ahead include:

  • Reducing reoffending and supporting constructive resettlement for young people leaving custody.
  • Preventing first-time entrants into the youth justice system through early help and diversion schemes.
  • Tackling disproportionality, ensuring fair opportunities for children with Protected Characteristics
  • Expanding restorative justice and victim support to repair harm and rebuild trust.
  • Supporting staff development to ensure Derby has a skilled workforce to help young people turn their lives around.

The plan also highlights Derby’s commitment to working closely with schools, health services, the police, and community organisations to provide wraparound support for children and young people. This includes improving access to education, training, and employment, strengthening families, and creating safe spaces where young people can thrive.

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and skills, said:

This plan is about far more than reducing crime, it’s about helping young people in Derby to reach their potential. Too often, young people who come into contact with the youth justice system have faced difficult circumstances in their lives, and our job is to provide the right support, opportunities, and guidance to help them build better futures.

By working together with families, schools, health services, and community organisations, we can give young people the tools they need to make positive choices, stay in education or training, and feel part of their communities. When we put young people first, we not only help them move away from offending, but we also strengthen our city by creating safer, fairer communities where every young person has the chance to thrive.”

The Youth Justice Plan will be monitored closely throughout the year by the Youth Justice Partnership Board and Derby City Council, ensuring that progress is transparent, and that children, young people, families and communities continue to benefit from its delivery.

The Council’s Cabinet will consider the 2025-26 plan when it meets on Wednesday 10 September. It will eventually go to Full Council for approval. The meeting can be viewed live from 2pm on the Council’s YouTube channel.