North Tyneside Youth Offending Team’s restorative justice practice has been nationally recognised.
The Youth Offending Team, at North Tyneside Council, works to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people in the borough, engage with victims and communities, and explore better ways to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Working in partnership with the police, probation services and health services, the team identifies young people at risk of offending, and gives victims the chance to have their say on how offenders should make amends.
Now the Youth Offending Team has been awarded the Restorative Service Quality Mark (RSQM), which is the national standard and quality mark for restorative services awarded by the Restorative Justice Council.
The award recognises organisations who consistently meet six Restorative Service Standards and aims to give local people confidence in their local service.
Pete Xeros, manager of the North Tyneside Youth Offending Team, said: “I’m really proud that the work of the service and effort of the team has been acknowledged. The process has helped us develop our process for evaluating the victim experience and how best to use this to better inform practice development.
Chris Straker, the RJC’s interim chief executive, said: “Congratulations to everyone at North Tyneside Youth Offending Team for their hard work and dedication. This award reflects their commitment to high quality restorative practice.”
The RSQM is a badge of quality that guarantees that a service provides safe, high quality restorative practice which meets the six Restorative Service Standards.
North Tyneside Youth Offending Team joins other RSQM awardees – in sectors ranging from criminal justice through education to care – delivering high quality restorative processes.
Find out more about the RSQM here.