AYJ Event: Supporting racially minoritised young people in the transition to adulthood
On 8th February 2024 the AYJ held an online launch event for our report Bridging gaps and changing tracks: Supporting racially minoritised young people transitioning to adulthood. Bringing together policymakers, voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations, and young people, attendees heard about the experiences of racially minoritised young people in the criminal justice system and celebrated the invaluable work of the VCS in supporting the transition to adulthood.
Part of our Young people in transition in the criminal justice system project, funded by Barrow Cadbury Trust, the event included two panel discussions chaired by Leroy Logan MBE, Chair of the Transition to Adulthood Alliance.
The first panel featured the directors of three Black-led VCS organisations, each accompanied by a young person they work with. Sammy Odoi, Founder of Wipers Youth CIC, Desmond Brown, Founder of Growing Futures, and Dez Brown, Founder of Spark2Life, spoke about how their organisations work with racially minoritised young people to help them realise their potential. The three young people shared their personal accounts of the life-changing impact that support from the VCS has had as they transition to adulthood.
The second panel featured policymakers and scrutinisers who spoke about the action that must be taken to promote racial justice. Panellists included Alan Webster, Director of Youth Justice at the Ministry of Justice; Jane Browne, Head of Youths and Young Adults Probation Reform at HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS); Maria Jerram, HM Inspector at HMI Probation; Ruth Bloomfield, Senior Policy and Commissioning Manager at the Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC); and Charlie Spencer, Vice Chair of the Association of YOT Managers.
Attendees have shared their reflections on what they heard at the event, and the reforms they want to see:
1. The importance of consistency and relatability: Attendees highlighted the significance of consistent support and trusted relationships, yet noted particularly as young people transition in statutory services relationships often break down. Attendees appreciated the need for workers who have lived experience, who can be positive role models. They stressed the need for cultural competence, therapeutic services, and creativity and flexibility in approaches to supporting young people, urging a shift away from transactional approaches.
“Young people really appreciate support from people who have lived experience who they can identify with. The consistency of these people in their lives is key…These relationships were key to their self-development and working with statutory services.”
“Young people need to feel valued, loved, and that professionals have a genuine interest”
“Provide young people with someone with lived experience of what they have gone through who can provide consistent guidance over time and who are empowered to think outside the box”
2. The vital role of VCS organisations: The VCS offers consistent and informed support tailored to the needs of young people. Attendees advocated for statutory agencies putting more thought and effort into commissioning VCS providers, particularly emphasising the importance of ‘by and for’ organisations.
“We must not overlook the value and unique support small, community organisations provide to support individuals and make connections due to their intrinsic understanding of culture, heritage etc.”
“VCS has a vital role to play not only in providing direct support but being a role model, exemplar and challenger to statutory agencies”
3. The need for more funding and support for grassroots organisations: Attendees stressed the importance of making funding more accessible to smaller and specialist organisations, and removing barriers around commissioning and evaluation that hinder their work.
“VCS ‘by and for’ organisations are often limited by the amount of funding they have. Funding and commissioning is part of the problem (along with ‘lived experience not being valued’ by funders commissioners). But so are costs like business rates and taxes.”
4. A call for political accountability and action: Attendees expressed frustration at the lack of political focus on addressing racial injustice and highlighted the need for accountability within the system to drive meaningful change.
“There are continuous calls for change which aren’t heard by those who have the power to do so. Until this is addressed change will be limited.”
5. The power of youth voice: Attendees were overwhelmingly supportive of the young people who shared their experiences, highlighting how authentic and thought-provoking their perspectives were, and how important it is they have a voice in developing services and support.
“So important to hear the experiences and voices of racially minoritised young people to support the change that needs to happen. Thank you for sharing their personal stories so powerfully.””