Peer Review

The primary purpose of a YJ Peer Review is to help a YOT and its partners identify their strengths and to highlight areas for potential improvement in the current provision of youth justice services. The Peer Review Team is made up of trained Peer Reviewers who are all YOT Managers / Heads of Service. They know about youth justice and act as critical friends. YJPRs are a unique opportunity for YOTs and local authorities to gain a fresh perspective from peers alongside collaborative support in improving local youth justice.

YJPR is a supportive yet challenging process. It is not an inspection and the Peer Review Team has been invited in, it has not been imposed.

In order to access YJSIP Peer Review, Youth Justice Partnerships should complete an application form. Each Application is discussed at the YJSIP Programme Board and a decision made. If approved, the YJSIP resource will be allocated accordingly. YJSIP is a finite resource governed by funding and supply versus demand.

Getting involved: To become a Peer Reviewer, you must be a current YOT Manager / Head of Service, or an Operational Manager directly line managed by the Head of Service.

All Peer Reviewers receive training (2-day residential course) and must have completed at least one Peer Review before they can be deemed fully qualified. Please note that in order for a peer reviewer to support other Services with mentoring or coaching etc. it will require further specialist training to be completed.

Bespoke Peer Support

Bespoke peer support is as the name suggests. It is a tailor-made support offer based on need and can vary considerably depending.

Examples of bespoke peer support; Service A wants support in considering what is working well or less in a particular area of business such as governance and leadership, or a specific strand of operations such as Out of Court Disposals. Both examples do not warrant a full Peer Review instead a tailored peer support offer is sufficient.

In order to access YJSIP Peer Support, Youth Justice Partnerships should complete an application form. Each Application is discussed at the YJSIP Programme Board and a decision made. If approved, the YJSIP resource will be allocated accordingly. YJSIP is a finite resource governed by funding and supply versus demand.

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Peer Review

SEND peer review is explicitly targeted review to look at the local provisions for children that have special educational needs and disability (SEND). What is particular of interest is that the peer review team also includes local partners with interest in said topic such as SEND lead or educational psychologists etc. to help better consider the local provisions.

Applying Service: SEND peer review may be suitable for a Service that is looking at improving or consolidating their work with partners. You will need to complete the attached application form.