30 January 2009
By Vivienne Russell
The funding system for activities designed to keep teenagers away from a life of crime has been condemned as a 'dog's breakfast' by the local government watchdog.
The Audit Commission this week said a complex and wasteful system of grant administration was frustrating efforts to keep young people out of prison.
Audit Commission chair Michael O'Higgins said: 'It's ludicrous that funding schemes for young people in trouble with the law should be so complicated. Major opportunities to save public money are going begging.'
It can cost less than £50,000 to prevent a teenager from drifting into antisocial behaviour. But costs can reach £200,000 by the age of 16 if they fall into the criminal justice system, the commission's January 28 report found.
Tired of hanging around said that activities such as music, film making and football were effective ways of preventing young people aged between 8 and 19 from entering a life of crime. But youth workers could spend a third of their time managing budgets and chasing new funding.
PFjan2009
