Feeling stunned & buzzing to share that I passed my PhD viva this afternoon without corrections! 🥂
Thanks so much to my examiners
@CJJFitzpatrick
@IsabelleBrodie4
for a really interesting discussion & lovely feedback, plus my brilliant supervisors Tim Bateman & John Pitts 🙏
Ending an amazing week with more news!
🌟 After 5 incredible years as
@the_AYJ
’s 1st CEO, I will be moving on in spring 2024
🌟 I’m so excited to be joining the exceptional
@childrensociety
as Director of Youth Impact, Policy & Research (subject to checks), truly my dream role!
Delighted that I will be joining the Standing Committee for Youth Justice as their first Director at the start of Feb! Very much looking forward to working with
@theSCYJ
team, member organisations & partners to improve policy & practice for children in trouble
#youthjustice
My report for the Griffins Society into the use of penal custody for girls in England & Wales is out today - full report and executive summary available here:
After exactly 2yrs as Director, I'm delighted to introduce the relaunched Alliance for Youth Justice
@the_AYJ
. A new phase in our history & opportunity to recognise all those involved in shaping our work in the past, present & into the future:
First day back
@the_AYJ
today! 👋
I’ve been on study sabbatical & submitted my PhD thesis 🙌 hope to share more about that soon…
@Saqibd
& I will be in handover mode until end October 🤝
Look forward to reconnecting with colleagues & members in coming weeks, lots going on! 💫
My hope for the future is widespread understanding of the root causes of children coming into contact with the
#youthjustice
system + those children being supported, empowered & given opportunities to reach their full potential
#ShareYourHope
#DayofHopeUK
#Hope2020
@Olbennett13
Definitely do it! Lecturers are often given so little time to mark that if they do it thoroughly & thoughtfully they are likely to have done it in their own time because they care about proper feedback, so giving them some back would be a lovely thing to do & hugely appreciated!
I spoke to
@DailyMirror
about alarming stats showing increased use of stop & search powers on children, & disproportionate targeting of Black children.
Appreciate the coverage highlighting appalling overuse & racial disparity in custodial remand.
‘They saw me as calculating, not a child’: how adultification leads to black children being treated as criminals
With expert input from
@the_AYJ
members
@JahnineDavis
@ListenUpCo
& Aika Stephenson
@Justforkidslaw
“Someone walked into the school, where I was supposed to feel safe, took me away from the people who were supposed to protect me and stripped me naked, while on my period,” the girl said adding that she did not know if she would “ever feel normal again”
Delighted to see my research into the use of custody for girls in England and Wales featured in ‘Youth Justice News’ by Tim Bateman! My full report and executive summary available here:
Rainsbrook STC: Children to be removed over safety fears, following further inspection
@Ofstednews
rating centre as "inadequate"
Thoughts are with the 33 children - hope they go on to receive far better care & support 🙏
#EndChildImprisonment
📣Personal news!
From the beginning of July I’ll be taking a year of sabbatical study leave from my role
@the_AYJ
, to focus f/t on my Professional Doctorate in Children & Young People’s Services
@UoB_SASS
So…we are
#recruiting
! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Delighted to be at the
@_YJB
Leaders Summit
#YJLeadersSummit
in Birmingham today!
A great opportunity to catch up with colleagues, make new connections, join discussions & hear from a wide range of speakers including young people 🙌
☀ Today’s the day!
We’re looking forward to welcoming over 200 youth justice leaders to the Youth Justice Leaders’ Summit in Birmingham today, celebrating 25 years of youth justice partnership work.
🙌 Stayed tuned for updates.
#YJLeadersSummit
Grateful to be asked to contribute to the
@YouthViolenceUK
Final Report, alongside so many incredible people from different perspectives. It’s out on Monday 13th! Register for the launch on Thursday 16th here: 👇👇👇
OUT TODAY! The new edition of
@cypnow
features a 'Special Report: Reducing Youth Reoffending' - including pieces on the need for child-friendly & constructive approaches by myself &
@NAYJtweets
colleague
@TimBateman5
Here:
🏴 On my way to Scotland for the first time ever (I’m ashamed to say!) & it turns out to be the same day that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
#UNCRC
is incorporated into Scottish law! 🙌
Today is a landmark moment as Scotland incorporates the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Scotland) Bill into law! 🥳
Read the full article:
Attending Damilola Taylor’s memorial service at Southwark Cathedral in 2008 made a huge impression on me personally & professionally, when I accompanied
@DLawrenceOBE
on behalf of the Home Office. Proud to support
@DTTlondon
over a decade later through
@theSCYJ
#legacy
#Hope2020
Dear Men: So you think you want a ‘strong, independent woman’ - mid-way through my study leave this is just the
#feminist
motivation I needed! Brilliant piece
@DrJessTaylor
🎯
Today marks 20 years since the tragic loss of Damilola Taylor. Thoughts with
@TaylorOBE
and all who grieve for him. Proud to be working
@theSCYJ
& the
#HopeCollective
to ensure his memory brings about a lasting legacy of hope & positivity for all young people
#HOPE2020
#DayofHope
"Damilola had ambition, he wanted to change the world. After 20 years, this is how I would like him to be remembered, as a boy of hope. Our boy of hope.” Richard Taylor OBE reflects on the legacy of his son:
#ourboyofhope
#damilolataylor
#hope2020
Last day
@the_AYJ
today before 12-month study sabbatical
@UoB_SASS
, can't quite believe it!
Thanks to everyone I have worked alongside over the past 3.5 years in the role 🙏🙏🙏
Looking forward to our members' meeting this afternoon, then time to hand over to
@Saqibd
! 🙌
🎯Unique new research from
@Juvenis
shining a light on the perspectives & experiences of young Black men & boys in Lambeth. Congratulations to all involved in this important piece of work!
#TheLifeOfATopBoy
#InternationalMensDay
#IMD2023
Check it out ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Did ‘every child matter’?
New Labour’s approach to children & families ran alongside mass over-policing of children & a huge expansion of the
#youthjustice
system
Criminalisation & imprisonment of children ramped up to historic levels in the ‘noughties’
Thank you to everyone involved in organising, speaking & contributing to today’s
#safespace24
@ESRC
event
@UofGlasgow
🙏
Appreciated the space created for interesting & challenging discussions, crucial to continuing the
#momentum
of a
#growingchorus
📣
Great to catch up with
While government focuses on Brexit it’s failing to protect children in England, leaving them traumatised, powerless and vulnerable to abuse in many areas of their lives. Find out more:
#SOCR
#childrights
Check out excellent
@NAYJtweets
report 'The State of Youth Justice' - a comprehensive analysis and a must-read for anyone studying, interested, involved or working in
#youthjustice
‘Unseen teens’ need targeted and coordinated support - open letter signed by myself and others to highlight concerns over teenagers falling through the cracks as they approach young adulthood
Really enjoyed my first committee meeting as Director of
@theSCYJ
yesterday - very much looking forward to collaborating with everyone & learning more about the fantastic work being done with and on behalf of young people
#youthjustice
Bursting with hope after the
@theSCYJ
#YoungAdvocates
did themselves so proud this evening! What a way to mark the
#DayofHopeUK
- thank you to everyone who made it such a positive, supportive & inspiring event 💫
It has been amazing hearing from the Young Advocates & their presentation tonight. We are so excited to see where this project will take them.
On the
#DayOfHope2020
we are definitely left feeling hopeful with young, inspiring leaders such as the Young Advocates! Well done all!🙌
So proud of the Young Advocates for leading & designing their own round of youth-led interviews for
@the_AYJ
next CEO, which took place today! 💫
Huge thanks also to colleagues
@LeadersUnlocked
for working with us to support the process 🙏
Woohoo! Very excited to work with
@HannahLSmithson
when she joins
@theSCYJ
as our new Chair! Later this year we kick off a programme to amplify the voices of young people in
#youthjustice
policy, fab to be working with Hannah who shares my commitment to meaningful
#participation
We are delighted to announce that Professor
@HannahLSmithson
will be joining us as
@theSCYJ
Chair! Hannah will be formally appointed at our September AGM - the Board &
@pgoodfellow_
are very much looking forward to working together in this exciting phase for SCYJ
#youthjustice
WOW!!! It was an honour to witness the magic of
@MilkHoneyBees
event this eve 🐝
Heartfelt testimonials, spoken word performances, learning about an incredible visit to the USA & screening of their new short film were a joyful celebration of Black girlhood & of all the girls
We are extremely excited to present our short film documentary, "See Us, Hear Us”
"See Us, Hear Us" is our co-produced film that sheds light on the multiple layers of Black British Girlhood and encourages its audience to actively see and hear Black girls.
Important concerns raised by
@AssnYOTmanagers
on proposed ‘knife crime ASBOs’ - more on this from
@theSCYJ
&
@PRTuk
in coming days. We need a coordinated, evidence-based, long term approach to reduce violence in our communities that listens to young people & responds accordingly
Great news to hear u-turn on a disastrous policy. I know my friends
@Nacro
&
@centrepointuk
have been pushing on this, along with many others. Young people, many of whom are vulnerable, need a safe, stable & suitable place to call home 👍🏻
Good to see
#marr
raising the issue of cuts to youth offending services
@AssnYOTmanagers
with the Home Sec but disappointing not to see him challenged on this and the incoming ‘knife crime ASBO’ that introduces punitive measures in the midst of cuts to services
#youthviolence
“There is still no strategy set out for girls in the youth justice system & in custody” The
@CommonsJustice
Select Committee have now published written evidence to their inquiry into youth custody. My submission on
#girls
is here
#overlooked
👇👇👇
‘Supporting Black Girlhood’ by
@Ebinehita_
@MilkHoneyBees
🐝 at
#IncludEd24
Full house (of course!) 🔥
Why create a space for Black girls to put HER (Healing, Empowerment & Resilience) first?
WHY NOT???
I look forward to sharing my findings from my research for the Griffins Society on girls in penal custody at the end of the month, shedding light on the use of custodial sentencing, remand & placements for girls - out 30th May
#EndChildImprisonment
Looking forward to joining panel at
@CrimeandJustice
@OU_SocPolCrim
Socially distanced justice webinar tomorrow, discussing youth justice in relation to lockdowns, social distancing & the use of digital technologies
#youthjustice
Chuffed to be invited to speak alongside these fantastic women for
#IWD2021
!
I'll discuss the factors influencing recent levels of penal incarceration of girls; the policy context, trends & developments - from a gendered perspective - drawing on my doctoral research🙌
@researchIP
A ‘justice’ system that is unjust - if exploitation results in criminalisation, the experiences, responses and outcomes for children are not fair or equitable
So happy to share the news that the brilliant
@Saqibd
will be joining
@the_AYJ
in July - very excited to see what he achieves in the role alongside all of our wonderful partners!
We look forward to welcoming
@Saqibd
as our Interim CEO from July - to work alongside
@the_AYJ
team, board, network of fantastic member organisations &
#YoungAdvocates
at an extremely important time for children and youth justice.
More here ➡️
It’s our 6-month anniversary of becoming the Alliance for Youth Justice! Find out what we’ve been up to
@the_AYJ
in my Director’s Update ⬇️⬇️⬇️
I’m now ‘out of office’ til Sept, hope you all have a lovely summer, now we just need some sun! 🙏☀️
Always great to see young people speaking truth to power!✊
Was honoured & inspired to hear from the youth management group from the Hope Collective in
@UKParliament
yesterday about their programme of work in the memory of Damilola Taylor
@DTTlondon
✨
Well done for getting though the first week back everyone!
I've written a message to wish
@theSCYJ
members, partners & colleagues a Happy New Year, reflecting work in 2020 & looking ahead to plans for 2021. There was lots to include – we’ve been busy!
The
#PCSCBill
is due its 2nd reading in the
@UKHouseofLords
today.
AYJ has worked with Parliamentarians, our members, & more to examine the proposals & produce recommendations to improve the Bill, set out in our new 2nd reading briefing.
Read here:
Delighted
@the_AYJ
is joining over 100 organisations to support the
#ChildrenAtTheTable
campaign 🙌
A commitment to all children is crucial, & must include those affected by crime & justice, who are amongst the most marginalised in society.
New
#YoungWomensJusticeProject
briefing from
@the_AYJ
@Agenda_alliance
- shining a light on girls & young women in the criminal justice system and their experiences of violence, abuse and exploitation ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Thanks to all involved in this research! 🙏
Today we launch new research with
@Agenda_alliance
on young women in contact with the criminal justice system & their experiences of violence, abuse & exploitation.
Read here:
⭐️CELEBRATING 1 YEAR OF THE AYJ!⭐️
Today marks one year since we launched as the AYJ & we would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who has supported us in driving positive change in youth justice
Here is a thread of some of our key achievements from this past year 🙌...
Congratulations to all of the
#youthjustice
students
@NTUSocSciences
who graduated today! It was my pleasure to teach, tutor & supervise you during my time at NTU & I wish you all the best for your futures!🏅🙌🏼🎓🙌🏼🏅
The need for trauma-informed & child-centred policing, minimising contact with the criminal justice system and maximum diversion from penal custody - all more relevant than ever for children & young people in this current crisis 🙏🏻
Under extremely challenging circumstances,
@YouthViolenceUK
released their final report today. SCYJ Director
@pgoodfellow_
was invited to contribute an Expert Reflection - read her piece ‘Rethinking ‘justice’ for young people’ and the final report here:
…
We are delighted to announce that we
@theSCYJ
will be working in partnership with
@mcys_mmu
to investigate the vast implications of COVID-19 on
#youthjustice
in an exciting new research project funded by
@ESRC
@UKRI_News
- Find out more here:
Delighted to see
@BYCustody
research underpinning practice guidance from Camden YOT! Great to see the legacy of our programme being taken forward by the
#youthjustice
sector &
@_YJB
@NealHazel
focus on 'constructive resettlement'
💡NEW REPORT OUT NOW💡
Our research calls for action to ensure as racially minoritised young people turn 18, the ‘by and for’ voluntary & community sector is there to support them - bridging gaps in statutory services and building brighter futures
➡️
Brimming with pride after this evening’s showcase! ❤️
Impressed beyond measure by the Young Advocates & their achievements, & so grateful to have worked in partnership with the incredible
@LeadersUnlocked
supported by
@BBCCiN
on this groundbreaking project 💫
🌟We're looking forward to the Young Advocates' Showcase this afternoon, supported by
@the_AYJ
&
@LeadersUnlocked
!
🌟They will share findings from recent peer research on policing, criminalisation, intervention & diversion, & their experiences on the project.
#YAShowcase24
Delighted to welcome another passionate, intelligent and impressive young woman to
@theSCYJ
team this week, alongside Amania & Millie we are now a
#FabFour
! Looking forward to seeing them grow into their roles & hopefully being able to meet them in person someday soon! 👯♀️👯♀️
“I am very much looking forward to getting more young people involved and discovering creative and accessible ways to help increase awareness.” This week we welcomed our new Communications Assistant, Millie, to
@theSCYJ
team! She introduces herself here:
I wrote a piece for
@theSCYJ
re the need for effective collaboration between orgs + truly intersectional support for girls & young women. Give it a read if you like!
Intersectionality: More than just a buzzword for girls and young women in transition 👉🏽
I’m worried that the mistakes that led to serious safeguarding failings in relation to child sexual exploitation in towns and cities up and down the country are being repeated. These are vulnerable children who are being targeted with ruthless violence.
And girls in youth custody are not ‘young women’ - because they are children. Labels reinforce stereotypes & influence the way people are treated.
@NAYJtweets
&
@theSCYJ
we are committed to using child-centred language & encouraging others to do so.
#children
#youthjustice
📣Proud to publish the final report of the Young Women’s Justice Project
@the_AYJ
with
@Agenda_alliance
today
This is a call to action to ensure that the needs of young women are no longer sidelined by the services and systems with responsibility for their support ⬇️
BREAKING: analysis, released today with
@the_AYJ
reveals:
❗ Self-harm among 21-24yo women in prison surpasses all other ages, and has risen year on year
❗ Some are harming as often as 34 times a year
It's time to act - read our new briefing:
My paper titled ‘Child-friendly resettlement: difficult by definition?’ is in great company in the
@NAYJtweets
compendium of papers from ‘Child Friendly Youth Justice?’ conference
@CamCriminology
with
@theSCYJ
is OUT NOW - Download it here:
So proud of Millie for her achievements in her studies & role with
@the_AYJ
- Pleasure to work alongside bright, talented colleagues🌟
Congratulations for taking the leap
@Millie_Hall1
💛
Took a leap of faith a year ago and moved in the pandemic to London from Cov and I now officially have a MA in Race Media & Social Justice with a Distinction! as well as my role with my lovely team at
@the_AYJ
who supported me during it. Can’t believe how far I’ve come 💚
Hearing from a young person about the importance of
#diversion
to his life, his solicitor
@lacooper01
helped push for triage rather than a caution. This is the practice we need for our young people to avoid unnecessary criminalisation & scar of
#childhoodcriminalrecords
regime
🎂CHILDREN'S RIGHTS: the Convention on the Rights of the Child is 30 today and 70+ of us have a letter in The Times. Bring on that Children's Rights Act!
Formal complaint submitted to
@EssexPoliceUK
. Feel free to onward share. We await our response. In solidarity with all the parents who have asked for this image to be removed without any response. The whole thing is an utter outrage.
*NEW BRIEFING*
We have published our response to the
#PCSCBill
, identifying its missed opportunities, its risks in reversing recent youth justice progress, & where proposals should be amended to maximise potential/address negative consequences
Read here:
“Violence affecting young people is the product of complex and deep-rooted issues within our society, but it is not inevitable. Complex problems require complex solutions”
@pgoodfellow_
letter to
@thetimes
Editor
A pleasure to welcome the newest member of our small
@theSCYJ
team this week! Can’t wait to see Amania grow into her role as Policy & Engagement Assistant, to which she brings a wealth of experience and passion
#teamwork
#youthjustice
#engagement
“I was looking for a role that was truly impactful – at both the interpersonal and policy level” This week we welcomed our new Policy & Engagement Assistant Amania to
@theSCYJ
team! She writes about herself & her passion for bringing about change here:
**NEW BRIEFING**
Today we launch our
#FallingThroughTheGaps
briefing with
@Agenda_alliance
& generously funded by
@LBFEW
, exploring girls’ experience of the transition to adulthood whilst in contact with the criminal justice system...
Please share & help us find
@the_AYJ
’s next Chief Executive 🙏
It is a brilliant & wide-ranging role, a huge opportunity for someone with the ambition & drive to continue growing our reach & impact, alongside our fantastic members 💫
📣We are looking for our next Chief Executive!
🌟This is an exciting opportunity to lead
@the_AYJ
through our next phase of development, growing the scale & impact of our work in youth justice
🙏Please help spread the word by sharing with your networks:
The AYJ is recruiting for a Policy & Communications Officer!
Do any of our academic friends know any talented students with an interest in policy?
Please r/t & share!