Foreword By The Secretary Of State
Foreword by the Minister
The Youth Justice Agency was established as an Executive Agency of the Northern Ireland Office on 1 April 2003.
The principal aim of the Agency is to reduce youth crime and to build confidence in the youth justice system. In seeking to achieve this the Agency provides community based services, youth conferencing and custodial services for young people aged 10 -17 who have offended or are at risk of offending. Services are delivered in partnership with statutory, community and voluntary bodies or other agencies providing related services in order to provide more effective services that better match the needs of young people.
This framework document has been reviewed by the Agency and the Department in line with Cabinet Office Guidance on Framework Documents. Its purpose is to define the responsibilities of, and the relationship between, the Agency, the NIO, Ministers and Parliament, including governance and accountability and to outline the Agency’s policies, financial structure and relationship with other agencies.
Performance targets for the Agency are set annually contributing to those in the Northern Ireland Public Service Agreement and other parts of government as appropriate. Such targets and associated development objectives for the Agency which will be published annually in its Corporate and Business Plan. Performance will be measured against these targets and reported in the Agency’s Annual Report and Accounts.
The Agency’s record of achievement is impressive as has been its ability to respond to the frequently changing operating environment. I wish to express my gratitude to the Chief Executive and his staff for their commitment to improving and developing services, against a background of financial stringency, in what is a particularly challenging area of work.
Following the planned devolution of Criminal Justice my Ministerial functions will transfer to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
PAUL GOGGINS MP
Minister of State for Northern Ireland
