Transition from youth justice to probation
A new (5 September 2024) MoJ evaluation of a specialist youth to adulthood transitions service in probation known as the Newham Y2A Hub has found a successful model. This report presents the findings from a two-year process evaluation that explored the implementation of a specialist young adult (18–25 year olds) probation Hub in Newham, East London. The Hub was designed to address the specific needs of young adults through a co-located probation and commissioned services model. The qualitative research design included interviews with 60 practitioners (probation and commissioned services staff) and 35 young adults over three phases of data collection. The evaluation was conducted by a number of experienced probation researchers including Jake Phillips; Jenni Ward, Katherine Albertson, Matt Cracknell and Karen Duke.
The operating model
The implementation of the Hub identified the core components necessary for a probation service model for young adults: co-located services in a dedicated, welcoming space; a committed workforce that is trained and motivated to work with young adults; flexibility around breach and enforcement (e.g. pre-breach interview); trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches; and processes that engage young adults and celebrate their successes. This could act as a template for application in other areas.
The co-location of services was a key asset of the Hub. It enabled quick and easy referrals into services that aided their progress and desistance (e.g. mentoring, employment, training and education, well-being, speech and language etc.). The ‘immediacy’ at which referrals could be made was one of the Hub’s greatest advantages. A strong leadership and management team with effective oversight helped to create a staff identity, shared ethos and commitment to the cohort.
The ‘young adult first’, trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches were integral to the working practices of the Hub. This bespoke approach responds to the needs of this age group which are not met in adult mainstream probation services. The dedicated speech and language service was seen by staff as vital in responding to the needs of young adults with high levels of undiagnosed ‘neurodiversity’. The innovative ‘communication passport’ helped the young adults to successfully access education, employment and other services.
The Hub was designed to be a welcoming and open space with brightly coloured decor, comfortable furniture, pot plants, a foodbank, a mini-library and artworks by young adults. Over time, the Hub walls were filled with additional information about activities taking place. I have reproduced two images of the main Hub Space (same room at different stages of the evaluation) below.
Critical success factors
The researchers helpfully identify a number of implications for other areas wishing to roll out similar provision to facilitate the transition from youth justice to probation and provide a service which meets the needs of young adults in contact with the criminal justice system. These include a list of core components:
- co-located services in a dedicated, welcoming space;
- a committed workforce that is trained and motivated to work with young adults;
- flexibility around breach and enforcement (e.g. pre-breach interview);
- trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches; and
- processes that engage young adults and celebrate their successes.
The research found that developing trust with young adults was key to the hub’s success and it would be important to try to maintain continuity of staffing.
The researchers note that the wider rollout of young adult probation hubs might not be desirable, or even achievable in Probation Delivery Units (PDU) with lower caseloads. They say that a dedicated young adult (18–25-year olds) team within mainstream adult probation that currently operates in some PDU areas, might be a better way forward.
Thanks to Ross Sneddon for kind permission to use the header image in this post which was previously published on Unsplash
