In this blog, Gess Aird, the CEO of Kinetic Youth speaks to the rich history of youth work in the UK and outlines how those methodologies inform the important work Kinetic do with children and young people caught up in the secure estate.

In this blog, Laura Janes, from AYJ member the Youth Practitioners’ Association, asks what it will take to create a well-resourced secure estate that caters to the distinct needs of children and young adults.

The AYJ shares our position after the government recently stated vulnerable girls sentenced to youth custody will no longer be placed in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs).

In this analysis piece, John Drew CBE, AYJ board member and former CEO of the YJB, reflects on the decision to change the age young people transition to the adult estate from 18 to 19.

This briefing calls on the government to protect and promote a child centred children’s secure estate, with custody only ever a last resort. It also calls for developing a distinct approach to custody for young adults.

Our latest policy briefing, Adultifying Youth Custody, calls on the government to protect and promote a child centred children’s secure estate, and develop a distinct approach to custody for young adults. It also calls for custody to only ever be a last resort.

The AYJ shares our positions on the essential elements of a strategic approach to the children’s secure estate, gathered with members and fed into the development of the YCS Youth Custody Strategy.

In response to the development of a Youth Custody Service (YCS) Youth Custody Strategy, this paper sets out AYJ positions on the essential elements of a strategic approach to the children’s secure estate.

AYJ comment on HMI Prisons’ reports Children in Custody 2023-24 and Feltham A YOI Independent Review of Progress

AYJ CEO Jess Mullen reflects on the importance of this year’s Black History Month theme ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ for Black and racially minoritised children in, or at risk of involvement in, the youth justice system

AYJ comment on HMI Prisons’ progress review on the separation of children in Young Offender Institutions

Our new briefing, Setting the youth justice agenda, urges the government to take bold action to reform the youth justice system. We set out changes new Ministers must prioritise to ensure a safeguarding response to vulnerable children, end racial injustice, and ensure that custody is a last resort.

This briefing urges the government to take bold action to reimagine youth justice. We set out changes new Ministers must prioritise to ensure a safeguarding response to vulnerable children, end racial injustice, and guarantee that custody is a last resort.

Our statement following racist riots across the UK and subsequent arrests, including of a significant number of children

A deeply concerning inspection report on conditions in Feltham YOI demonstrates the urgent need for youth custody reform. The newly announced Crime and Policing Bill is a crucial opportunity to keep children out of the failing secure estate

With the general election fast approaching, we’ve taken a look at what the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat party manifestos say about youth justice

With the general election round the corner, the next government has a critical opportunity to reimagine youth justice. AYJ sets out our priorities for the next government

In the latest episode of the AYJ’s podcast series, we spotlight on the ground-breaking new report ‘The Life of a Top Boy’, which centres the perspectives of young Black men about trauma and violence in the community.

This week the AYJ says goodbye to Pippa Goodfellow, who has been the AYJ’s Chief Executive for the past five years.

The AYJ is delighted to announce that the Charity Commission has registered us as a charity, following our recent application and has been entered onto the Register of Charities.