10 June 2005
A Scottish Parliament committee has criticised the Executive over funding of support services for young offenders.
In a report published this week, the justice committee said that to sustain effective services, agencies needed more clarity about sources of funding and more stability about the continuity of funding.
'The committee has profound concerns about funding,' the report states. 'There is too much short-term initiative-based funding, and single projects are funded from a confusing variety of sources, each with different timescales and reporting requirements.'
The committee was particularly concerned about the difficulties of engaging non-core agencies, such as health and education bodies, where youth justice might conflict with their main priorities.
It recommended that all members of youth justice strategy groups 'must be empowered to make decisions and commit resources on behalf of their organisations', and 'invited the Executive to clarify the role, membership and remit' of the groups.
The committee said the Executive should put a stronger legal duty on local authorities to take corporate responsibility for young offenders. It highlighted gaps in areas such as diversionary services, mental health and addiction services.
Committee convener Annabel Goldie said it was concerned at the patchy provision of crucial services. 'The Executive needs to address these urgently.'
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