Purpose

In partnership the Greater Manchester Youth Justice Transformation programme – particularly GMP and the Youth Justice Services – agreed that there was a need to have a targeted focus on the joint approach to reducing the risk of children becoming involved in the criminal justice system, recognising the benefits of Out of Court Resolutions in meeting the needs of children.

Work has already been taking place through the Child Centred Policing strategy around alternatives to arrest and outcome 22 pathways to support and, therefore, it was jointly agreed that the YEF pilot project provided an excellent opportunity to build and further develop this work, ensuring Greater Manchester has a more consistent approach to out of court resolutions across its 10 areas.

The Standing Together Police and Crime Plan 2024-2029 also has diversion as a priority.

A bid was submitted on behalf of all partners to YEF and Greater Manchester were successful in being 1 of 4 pilot sites where they will initially undertake this work.

The Greater Manchester bid took a pooled budget approach identifying that the £60k funding would be best pooled across the 10 local authorities and GMP to provide a project lead post who will be responsible for coordinating, delivering and updating on the project alongside the Youth Endowment Fund.

Therefore, a Project Manager will be employed through Remedi, Greater Manchester to provide the pooled post that will support the work (costs £41,000 for 12 months). Remedi already work with a number of Greater Manchester Local Authorities and are active in Youth Justice delivery in the region. A Role Description is being finalised, and it is anticipated that they will be able to start in August.

The Project Manager post will be supported by Manchester City Council – with the provision of approximately 1.5 days support from a Data Analyst (costs £15,094). This will be provided by an existing employee meaning that the role can commence as soon as is required.

GMCA’s role is to act as both the contract signatory with YEF and to administrate the money, releasing it to both Remedi and to Manchester City Council as grant payments.

The work will also considerably contribute to the Youth Justice Transformation Programme and the ambitions within the Police and Crime Plan.

Decision

Greater Manchester has been successful at securing £60k funding from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) to be one of 4 pilot sites exploring a Whole Area Model which aims to improve the use and consistency of out of court resolutions for children.

It has been agreed that the funding will be split as below – and the GMCA will administer the grant on behalf of Greater Manchester.

Original Project Costs

Project Manager Costs (Remedi)
£41,000
Data/Analyst Post (Manchester Local Authority) x 1.5 days per week £15,094
Incidentals (room hire etc. for events)
£3,905
TOTAL £60,000

New decision;
The YEF, GMCA, GMP, GM Youth Justice teams and Remedi have agreed to extend the pilot for an additional TWO months, up until the end of October 2026, therefore additional funding is needed to cover the costs of the Remedi Project Manager. This amount works out at £6,833.

Updated Project Costs

Project Manager Costs (Remedi)
£47, 833
Data/Analyst Post (Manchester Local Authority) x 1.5 days per week £15,094
Incidentals (room hire etc. for events)
£3,905
TOTAL £66,833