Agenda item

1.    The Commissioner explained that the appointment of a Youth Commissioner had been an election promise, designed to ensure representation of young people (under 24s) who represent 30% of Kent’s population.

2.    Kerry Boyd had been in post for nine months and has been listening to young people, initially via public engagement and latterly through a secondment with CXK (Youth Charity based in Ashford that supports young people in developing skills and raising aspirations).  Ms Boyd has been collating the feedback from this work and will be providing a report that will be published on the Commissioner’s website in due course.

3.    The Commissioner highlighted some key points that Ms Boyd had raised so far as being training and engagement opportunities, better use of online communication and how best to access young people.

4.    The Commissioner referenced a recent report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Children and Young People which highlighted the difficulties Police and Crime Commissioners and the Police face in engaging effectively with young people. 

5.    The Commissioner commented that Ms Boyd has performed very well in her role, showing that the concept of Youth Commissioners works.  The Commissioner added that she is looking forward to the final report which will contribute to the refreshed Police and Crime Plan.

6.    In response to Member questions, the Commissioner explained that the first Youth Commissioner had never formally taken up her role and that Ms Boyd had demonstrated the value of the Youth Commissioner role.  The Commissioner stated that she was very pleased with Ms Boyd’s work and that the future of the role would be discussed with the Police and Crime Panel.

7.    The Vice-chair praised Ms Boyd and asked the Commissioner to explain how she herself engaged with Young People.  The Commissioner stated that she engaged with young people all the time through regular engagement activities.  She explained that the Youth Commissioner works closely with her on relevant issues, including recently agreeing to provide money to a youth charity that seeks to help young people at risk of ‘drifting’ into the Criminal Justice System.

8.    Members praised the work being done by the Youth Commissioner, commenting that the engagement and prevention focus was very positive and they were keen to see the emerging recommendations.  Members asked how the Youth Commissioner’s work would feed into the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.

9.    The Commissioner explained that the Youth Commissioner worked in her office when not off-site and worked closely with the Commissioner’s staff as well as Chief Officers.  The Youth Commissioner’s report will influence the proposed Police and Crime Plan before it goes out to consultation.  Furthermore, the Youth Commissioner was advising on improving access to Police information for young people and how to encourage such engagement.

10. A Member asked how much the Youth Commissioner was linking with the Community Safety Units (CSU) and whether she was carrying out enough external engagement.

11. The Commissioner estimated that the Youth Commissioner had engaged with approximately 5000 young people but stated that there has been little direct contact between the Commissioner’s office and the CSUs.

12. A Member asked whether any specific work was being done around engaging with children in care, given their vulnerability.

13. The Commissioner explained that Kent County and Medway Councils were leading on supporting and managing children in care through social services The Chief of Staff, stated that the Force was addressing the issues surrounding children in care, using specialist officers.  Additionally, the Force was working on a protocol with Children’s Homes to limit the unnecessary criminalisation of young people in care.

14. Responding to a question, the Commissioner explained that the Ms Boyd would return to her studies once her contract expires early next year.  The Commissioner stated that this experience will be of great benefit to Ms Boyd.

15. A Member suggested that closer engagement with the CSUs would be beneficial and suggested that the Youth Commissioner go out with Community Wardens and Police Community Support Officers.  The Commissioner stated that work was being done to maintain a relationship with the CSUs and joint visits were taking place.  The Commissioner reiterated her commitment to building bridges with young people.

16. A Member asked for reassurance that consideration would be given to how valuable the Youth Commissioner was in light of the high number of alternative youth engagement and access groups available to assist the public sector, such as the Youth Parliament, Youth Council and established youth groups.

17. The Commissioner stated that she respected all the other groups working with young people but emphasised that she believed the Youth Commissioner post was a positive addition to this and that it added value and should not be seen as an ‘instead of youth group engagement’ but rather a representative approach to youth engagement.

18. A Member praised the initial concept of the Youth Commissioner as it appeared innovative at its inception but explained that she was concerned that it had in practice, been a ‘headline grabber’ that had produced little in the way of practical outcomes with limited genuine engagement.

19. The Commissioner challenged this comment, stating that the Youth Commissioner was a genuine attempt to better engage with young people on Policing issues.

20. The Chairman thanked the Commissioner for her report and stated that the Panel looked forward to hearing the plans for the future of the Youth Commissioner.

RESOLVED that the Panel thank the Commissioner for her report; that the report be noted and that the Panel note the Commissioner’s offer to discuss the future of Youth Commissioner role with the Panel.