Racial Disparity in Early Years and Youth Justice System

Understanding racial disparity

How it affects children in their early years and within the youth justice system

December 2021

Foreword from our youth ambassadors

We asked our Youth Ambassador Network to share their views:

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Introduction

We have produced this presentation to highlight the areas where racial disparity

occurs, and show how, from an early age and within the youth justice system,

there are systemic and institutional prejudices that result in some children not

receiving equal treatment.

This presentation covers data from various sources as well as from the youth

justice annual statistics for 2019 to 2020. This year we have included additional

data on sport and physical activity, absence from school, stop and search and

homicides.

Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the lives of

everyone, particularly children. Their lifestyle, routine, mental health and

wellbeing, education and employment have all been affected. Probably none

more so than for those in contact with the youth justice system. Some of these

children will have faced the added uncertainty of postponed court cases while

others will have faced extra restrictions in custody. We couldn’t ascribe a

particular ‘COVID-19 effect’ to the data in this presentation, but equally we

couldn’t rule it out and so this should be borne in mind as you read through it.

Introduction (continued)

Data that shows the full impact of COVID-19 on the lives of children is only just

starting to come through, however we have included data on the mortality rates

for adults due to COVID-19, which gives valuable insight into the disparities

present.

Finally, we have provided information throughout this presentation on what the

YJB is doing to tackle disproportionality. However, we can’t change the system

alone and we will continue to need the help of government departments,

agencies and statutory functions.

Children in England and Wales

Data from the 2011 Census provides a breakdown of the number of under in

18-year-olds in England and Wales by ethnicity.

White, 79% (9.5 million)

Black, 5% (567 thousand)

Asian, 9% (1.1 million)

Mixed, 5% (603 thousand)

Other, 2% (211 thousand)

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity/demographics/age-groups/latest

The youth justice workforce

As part of the YJB’s Workforce Development Strategy we monitor the ethnic

diversity of the youth offending team (YOT) workforce.

Ethnic minorities in strategic leader roles made up 14% of the YOT workforce.

This is a 2% rise on the previous year.

The youth justice workforce

Composition of the youth offending team (YOT) workforce in 2019-20

What we are doing

We have recruited 12 participants onto the Elevate Programme.

Elevate is a six-month mentoring programme designed to support the progression

of middle managers from ethnic minorities (including White minorities) into strategic

management - where they are currently under-represented.

In general, children from ethnic minority backgrounds are over-represented at most

stages of the youth justice system. In most cases, this is driven by the over-

representation of children from Black, Mixed and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller

backgrounds. It is therefore important that there are visible, positive role models in

senior leadership positions within youth justice services.

We developed Elevate with the Youth Justice Sector Improvement Partnership

(YJSIP) following recommendations from the Youth Justice Workforce Development

Council. The YJSIP has trained a highly skilled and experienced group of mentors

and these individuals have offered to support the Elevate programme. Drawn from

a range of both urban and rural settings in England and Wales, the Elevate mentors

will provide a wealth of experience to share with Elevate participants and support

the managers as they explore their future in strategic positions of leadership.

Elevate started in October 2021

Formative years

Expected development

In England, 71% of 4 to 5-year-olds met the expected standard in development

by the end of the 2018 to 2019 school year.

Percentage of children achieving expected development:

White: 72%

Black: 68%

Asian: 69%

Mixed: 72%

Chinese: 76%

Other: 63%

Sources: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2018-to-2019

Expected development (look closer)

For the end of the 2018 to 2019 school year, children from an Indian

background, within the Asian group, were most likely to meet the expected

standard with 78% doing so. Children from Gypsy and Roma backgrounds,

within the White group, were least likely at 34%.

Number and percentage of children achieving expected development, 2019:

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-

ethnicity/demographics/people-living-in-deprived-neighbourhoods/latest#overall-most-deprived-

10-of-neighbourhoods-by-ethnicity

Expected development (look closer)

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-

ethnicity/demographics/people-living-in-deprived-neighbourhoods/latest#overall-most-deprived-

10-of-neighbourhoods-by-ethnicity

Expected development (look closer)

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-

ethnicity/demographics/people-living-in-deprived-neighbourhoods/latest#overall-most-deprived-

10-of-neighbourhoods-by-ethnicity

Expected development (look closer)

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-

ethnicity/demographics/people-living-in-deprived-neighbourhoods/latest#overall-most-deprived-

10-of-neighbourhoods-by-ethnicity

Expected development

For the end of the 2018 to 2019 school year, children from an Indian

background, within the Asian group, were most likely to meet the expected

standard with 78% doing so. Children from Gypsy and Roma backgrounds,

within the White group, were least likely at 34%

Percentage of children achieving expected development:

Sources: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2018-to-2019

Child in need

In England, over the last five years there has been a gradual decline in the

proportion of children in need that were White, from 75% in 2015 to 72% in

2020.

In contrast, there have been slight increases in the percentage whose ethnicity

was Mixed (from 8% to 9%) or Black (8% to 9%) and no change in the

percentage of those whose ethnicity was Asian (7%).

Children in need are defined in law as children who are aged under 18 and

need local authority services to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of

health or development. They also need local authority services to prevent

significant or further harm to their health or development.

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2019-to-2020

Care and support

In Wales, for the year ending 31 March 2020, out of all children for whom

ethnicity was known, 92% of children receiving care and support (on the child

protection register but not looked-after) were White, 3% were Mixed, 2% were

Asian and 1% were Black.

Source: 

https://gov.wales/wales-children-receiving-care-and-support-census

Children looked-after

In England, there were 78,150 children looked-after (in care) on 31 March 2019,

compared with 69,470 in 2015.

When compared to the general population of under-18-year-olds (data from the

2011 Census):

White children (79%) were less likely to be in care (74%) and more likely to be

adopted (83%).

Black children (5%) were more likely to be in care (8%) and less likely to be

adopted (2%).

Asian children (10%) were less likely to be in care (4%) and less likely to be

adopted (1%).

Mixed ethnicity children (5%) were more likely to be in care (10%) and more

likely to be adopted (11%).

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2019-to-2020

Children looked-after

In Wales, the majority of children looked-after are White (92%). 4% were mixed,

2% were Asian and 1% were Black or Black British.

The proportion of children who were looked after has increased for all ethnic

groups in the last year, this increase was greatest for Asian children at 17%

(however, smaller cohorts are more susceptible to fluctuations than larger ones)

and lowest for White children at 3%.

• White children (93%) were less likely to be in care (91%)

• Black children (1%) were more likely to be in care (2%)

• Asian children (3%) were less likely to be in care (2%)

• Mixed ethnicity children (2%) were more likely to be in care (3%).

Source: 

https://gov.wales/wales-children-receiving-care-and-support-census

Deprivation

Out of all people (not just children), those from an Asian background (15.7%)

were the most likely out of all ethnic groups to live in the most deprived

neighbourhoods, followed by Black people (15.2%).

People from Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds, within the Asian group,

were the most likely to live in deprived areas at 31% and 19% respectively.

People living in the most deprived 10% of neighbourhoods, by ethnicity:

White: 9%

Black: 15%

Asian: 16%

Mixed: 13%

Other: 13%

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-

ethnicity/demographics/people-living-in-deprived-neighbourhoods/latest#overall-most-deprived-

10-of-neighbourhoods-by-ethnicity

Deprivation (look closer)

People living in the most deprived 10% of neighbourhoods, by ethnicity:

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-

ethnicity/demographics/people-living-in-deprived-neighbourhoods/latest#overall-most-deprived-

10-of-neighbourhoods-by-ethnicity

Deprivation (look closer)

People living in the most deprived 10% of neighbourhoods, by ethnicity:

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-

ethnicity/demographics/people-living-in-deprived-neighbourhoods/latest#overall-most-deprived-

10-of-neighbourhoods-by-ethnicity

Deprivation (look closer)

People living in the most deprived 10% of neighbourhoods, by ethnicity:

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-

ethnicity/demographics/people-living-in-deprived-neighbourhoods/latest#overall-most-deprived-

10-of-neighbourhoods-by-ethnicity

Social housing

In England, for 2016/17 and 2018/19, 17% of households (3.9 million) in

England rented their home from a local authority or housing association.

Out of the main ethnic groups, the highest proportion of those renting were from

Black households and within that group Black African were the highest at 44%.

The proportion of those living in rented social housing:

White: 16%

Black: 42%

Asian: 14%

Mixed: 29%

Other: 26%

Source: 

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/housing/social-housing/renting-from-a-

local-authority-or-housing-association-social-housing/latest#by-ethnicity

Home Ownership

While White British households had a higher proportion of home ownership

than most ethnic minority households, the highest proportion was among Indian

households at 74%.

Mixed White and Asian households had a similar proportion of home ownership

to White British households (at 70%).

Households in the Black African (20%) and Arab (17%) ethnic groups had the

lowest proportion of home ownership.

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-housing-survey-2017-to-2018-home-ownership

Persistent low income

Children in Asian (26%) and Black (21%) households in the UK were more

likely to live in persistent low income than those in White (10%) households.

Households with persistent low income (less than 60% of the average UK

income for 3 out of 4 years):

White: 10%

Black: 21%

Asian: 26%

Mixed: 0% (Data withheld because a small sample size makes it unreliable)

White Other: 12%

Sources: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-dynamics-2016-to-2017

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/work-pay-and-benefits/pay-and-income/low-

income/latest#by-ethnicity-and-age-group-after-housing-costs

Never worked

In England, compared to the general population, people from Asian and Black

groups were about twice as likely to have ‘never worked or be long term

unemployed’ (at 18% and 6% respectively).

This is higher than their share of the general population (8% and 3%

respectively).

Sources: 

https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-

ethnicity/demographics/socioeconomic-status/latest

Legal aid

Out of all people in England and Wales, the highest proportion of those

receiving legal aid were White.

Nevertheless, the proportion of those receiving legal aid from ethnic minorities

was much larger than in the general population. This may reflect the fact that

controlled legal representation for immigration is included in these figures.

The proportion of legal aid by ethnicity:

White: 40%

Ethnic minorities: 25%

Unknown: 35%

Source:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data

/file/895088/legal-aid-statistics-bulletin-jan-mar-2020.pdf

Education

Special educational needs

In England, the number of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in

January 2020 was one million.

This represents 12% of the total pupil population.

Source:

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-

england#releaseHeadlines-tables

Proportion of pupils with SEN

Of the main ethnic groups, White children had the highest percentage of SEN at

13%.

White: 13%

Black: 12%

Mixed: 12%

Asian: 9%

Chinese: 5%

Other: 10%

Out of all ethnicities, special educational needs were most prevalent in

Travellers of Irish heritage and Gypsy/Roma pupils at 24% and 23%

respectively.

Source:

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-

england#releaseHeadlines-tables

SEN (look closer)

Percentage of pupils with special educational needs (SEN), by ethnicity,

2020/21:

Source: 

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-

needs-in-england#releaseHeadlines-tables

SEN (look closer)

Percentage of pupils with special educational needs (SEN), by ethnicity,

2020/21:

Source: 

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-

needs-in-england#releaseHeadlines-tables

Key stage 2

In England, of the main ethnic groups, pupils from Chinese backgrounds were

most likely to meet expected standards (80%). Pupils from Other ethnicities

were the least likely (61%).

Key stage 2 attainment in England, percentage of pupils reaching the expected

standard, 2018/19 (key stage 2 assessments were suspended for 2019/20 due

to the pandemic.):

White: 64%

Black: 63%

Asian: 68%

Mixed: 66%

Chinese: 82%

Other: 61%

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-2-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-

2018-revised

Key stage 2

In Wales, of the main ethnic groups, White Gypsy/Roma pupils (63%) and Irish

Traveller (61%) were the least likely to meet the expected standard.

Percentage of pupils in Wales achieving expected level in maths, English,

science and core subject indicator, by ethnicity, 2017 to 2019:

White: 89%

Black: 87%

Asian: 90%

Mixed: 90%

Chinese: 96%

Other: 82%

Source:

https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-

Teachers/Examinations-and-Assessments/Key-Stage-2

Key stage 4

In England, of the main ethnic groups, pupils from Chinese backgrounds were

most likely to achieve a grade 5 or above in English and maths (80%). Black

pupils were the least likely (46%).

Percentage of pupils at Key Stage 4 achieving grade 5 or above in English and

mathematics GCSEs by ethnicity, 2019/20:

White: 49%

Black: 46%

Asian: 58%

Mixed: 50%

Chinese: 80%

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-

2018-revised

Key stage 4

In Wales, of the main ethnic groups, pupils from Chinese backgrounds were

most likely to achieve Level 1, the equivalent to 5 GCSEs. Out of all ethnicities,

Gypsy/Roma pupils were the least likely (75%).

Percentage of pupils who achieved the Level 1 threshold (a volume of

qualifications equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grade A*-G):

White: 96%

Black: 97%

Asian: 98%

Mixed: 96%

Chinese: 100%

Other: 96%

Source:

https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-

Teachers/Examinations-and-Assessments/Key-Stage-4/ks4indicators-by-year-ethnicity

Looking closer at key stage 4

In England, within the White ethnic group, only 8% of Gypsy Roma children

achieved a grade 5 or above in English or maths. Traveller of Irish heritage

children also fared poorly at 20%.

While Black pupils as a whole were the least likely to achieve a grade 5 or

above in English and maths (46%), pupils from Black African backgrounds

(51%) slightly surpassed both the White (49%) and Mixed (50%) ethnic groups

as a whole. Pupils from Black Caribbean backgrounds didn't fare as well at

35%.

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-

2018-revised

Permanent exclusions

In England, within the White ethnic group, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils

had the highest permanent school exclusion rates in the 2018 to 2019 school

year.

Gypsy and Roma pupils made up 0.39%, or 39 permanent exclusions per

10,000 pupils.

Mixed White/Black Caribbean and Black Caribbean pupils were over twice as

likely to be permanently excluded as White British pupils in the 2018/19 (school

year).

Source:

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/education-skills-and-training/absence-and-

exclusions/pupil-exclusions/latest#main-facts-and-figures

Permanent exclusions

In Wales, in 2018/19 pupils from a White ethnic background had the highest

rate of fixed term exclusions (5 days or less), whilst pupils with a Chinese or

Chinese British background have the lowest rates of exclusion.

Source:

https://gov.wales/permanent-and-fixed-term-exclusions-schools-september-2018-august-2019

Pupil absence

In England, Traveller of Irish heritage pupils and Gypsy/Roma pupils had the

highest overall absence rates at 17.0% and 13.0% respectively.

These groups also had the highest rates in the full 2018/19 academic year, at

18.0% and 12.6% respectively.

Pupil absence in schools in England by ethnicity: autumn term, 2019/20:

White: 5.1

Black: 3.5

Asian: 4.3

Mixed: 5.1

Other: 4.3

Gypsy/Roma: 13

Traveller: 17

Source:

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-

england-autumn-term

Pupil absence

In Wales, overall absence is highest for White pupils and particularly among

those from a Gypsy or Traveller background.

Pupil absence in secondary schools in 2018/19 school year:

White: 6.3

Black: 3.3

Asian: 4.2

Mixed: 6.0

Other: 3.7

Chinese: 2.0

Gypsy: 17.0

Traveller: 14.8

Source:

https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-

Teachers/Absenteeism

Education, apprenticeships or employment

Over 90% of pupils from nearly every ethnic group went into education,

apprenticeships or employment. The exceptions were Gypsy, Roma and

Traveller pupils.

Proportion of pupils that went into education, apprenticeships or employment

for at least 2 terms after finishing their GCSEs (or equivalent) in 2018/19:

Gypsy/Roma: 65%

Irish Traveller: 65%

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-destinations

Higher education

Between 2006 and 2020, Black pupils had the biggest entry rate increase out of

all ethnic groups in the UK, from 21.6% to 47.5%.

White pupils had the lowest entry rate between 2007 (22.2%) and 2020

(32.6%).

Source:

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/education-skills-and-training/higher-

education/entry-rates-into-higher-education/latest#main-facts-and-figures

What we are doing

In the past year we:

•

Held a roundtable employability event with over 120 participants from other

government departments, employment groups, employers, children and young

adults which considered how we could support children into meaningful

employment.

•

Continued to work with the Department for Work and Pensions to pilot a

Mentoring Circles programme for 16 and 17-year-old's in two London boroughs.

We have agreement to work with a number of employers to develop the pilot

programme including Fujitsu and the Financial Times.

•

Provided funding from the Ministry of Justice as part of the Stewardship fund

based on Lammy Recommendation 31 'to involve smaller organisations with a

particular focus on Black, Asian and minority ethnic issues. Lewisham Youth

Offending Service and Power The Fight delivered the 'cultural responses to

trauma and serious violence' project supporting two mainstream schools and

one alternative provision, by delivering culturally sensitive interventions to

children, school staff and parents/carers they supported to build resilience and

improve children's mental health and reduce their vulnerability to involvement in

serious violence

Health

Mental health: prevalence

The nature of mental health inequality is complex, and affected by factors such

as social and economic inequalities, racism and discrimination, stigma and the

cultural appropriateness of treatments.

Data on children’s contact with mental health services in the UK is limited. We

cover this subject further in our notes on the data.

A follow up to the 2017 'mental health and young people survey' explored the

mental health of 5 to 19-year-olds in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, 18.8% of White children (5 to 16-year-olds) had a probable* mental

disorder, compared with 7.5% of children from ethnic minorities (excluding

White minoritie

*  according to an NHS survey for children and parents that assessed different

aspects of mental health, classified as either ‘unlikely’, ‘possible’ or

‘probable’.s).

Sources:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-

and-young-people-in-england/2020-wave-1-follow-up

https://files.digital.nhs.uk/AF/AECD6B/mhcyp_2020_rep_v2.pdf

Mental health: prevalence

To measure children's general wellbeing, a non-representative survey by the

Children's Commissioner for Wales in May 2020 indicated that 7 to 11-year-olds

from ethnic minority backgrounds were significantly less likely than White Welsh

or British children to say they were 'happy most of the time' at 60% and  67%

respectively.

Sources:

https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/wp-

content/uploads/2020/09/Briefing_Report_E_2020_FINAL.pdf

https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2020-03/counselling-children-and-

young-people-september-2018-august-2019-570.pdf

Mental health: rate of detentions

In the year to March 2020, Black people (adults and children) were more than 4

times as likely as White people to be detained under the Mental Health Act –

321.7 detentions per 100,000 people, compared with 73.4 per 100,000 people.

Sources:

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/health/mental-health/detentions-under-the-

mental-health-act/latest

Mental health: notes on the data

For adults, ethnic minorities are less likely to obtain treatment for mental health

needs than White British people. Diverse barriers to timely access have been

identified. Differences in the prevalence of mental disorders between ethnic

groups vary by type of disorder.

However, ethnic minorities groups and Black adults in particular, are over-

represented at the more critical end of the system, in referrals from the criminal

justice system, in restrictive interventions and detentions under the Mental

Health Act. Ethnic minority groups also receive poorer treatment outcomes.

Physical activity

In England, 44.9% of children (3.2 million) are meeting the Chief Medical Officer

guidelines of taking part in sport and physical activity for an average of 60

minutes or more every day. Children from White British backgrounds are more

likely than all other ethnic groups (except for White Other) to be physically

active.

Percentage of children at school (5 to 16-year-olds) meeting the Chief Medical

Officer guidelines, 2019/2020:

White: 47%

Black: 35%

Asian: 42%

Mixed: 42%

Other: 39%

White Other: 48%

Source:

https://www.sportengland.org/know-your-audience/data/active-lives/active-lives-data-

tables?section=children_and_young_people_surveys

Physical activity

In Wales 2018, 48% of pupils across Years 3 to 11 took part in an organised

sport activity outside of the curriculum (i.e. extracurricular or club sport) on

three or more occasions per week.

Percentage of pupils frequently participating in extracurricular or community

sport by ethnic group:

White: 49%

Black: 51%

Asian: 40%

Mixed: 52%

Arab/Other: 46%

Source:

https://www.sport.wales/files/7c1bf51ba6145678b1b67d104455d913.pdf

Impact of COVID-19

For all ages, the rate of deaths involving COVID-19 for Black males was 3.3

times greater (at 255.7 deaths per 100,000 population) than for White males of

the same age.

The rate for Black females was 2.4 times greater (at 100.8 deaths per 100,000

population) than for White females.

Source:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths

Impact of COVID-19: look closer

Age-standardised mortality rates of deaths involving COVID-19 by ethnic group,

sex, and age group, England: 24 January 2020 to 31 March 2021 (Aged 30 to

100 years, so does not include children):

Source:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths

Impact of COVID-19: look closer

Age-standardised mortality rates of deaths involving COVID-19 by ethnic group,

sex, and age group, England: 24 January 2020 to 31 March 2021 (Aged 30 to

100 years, so does not include children):

Source:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths

Impact of COVID-19: look closer

Age-standardised mortality rates of deaths involving COVID-19 by ethnic group,

sex, and age group, England: 24 January 2020 to 31 March 2021 (Aged 30 to

100 years, so does not include children):

Source:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths

What we are doing

Over the past year we have:

•

Continued working with the Alliance of Sport on the Levelling the Playing

Field project. This three-year innovative project will engage with over 11,000

children from ethnic minorities using a trauma-informed approach and a

health model to prevent and divert children using the power of physical

activity and sport.

•

Started a three-year project on the COVID-19 response to over-represented

children in the London boroughs of Brent and Newham.  This Pathfinder

project will support ethnic minority children and families who have been

adversely affected by the pandemic, and have experienced additional

trauma, leading to an increase in adverse childhood experiences. Ultimately

this project will aim to prevent children from entering the youth justice

system.

Pre-court

Stop and search

Stop and search rate per 1,000 people (adults and children) in England and

Wales, between April 2019 and March 2020:

White: 6

Black: 54

Asian: 15

Mixed: 16

Other: 18

The number of stop and searches between April 2019 and March 2020:

White: 280,000

Black: 97,000

Asian: 61,000

Mixed: 18,000

Other: 10,000

Source:

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/crime-justice-and-the-law/policing/stop-and-

search/latest

Stop and search: look closer

The Metropolitan Police in London made almost half (49%) of all stop and

searches in England and Wales.

There were 34 stop and searches for every 1,000 people in London, compared

with 6 per 1,000 people for the rest of England and Wales.

There were 71 stop and searches for every 1,000 Black people in London,

compared with 28 per 1,000 Black people in the rest of England and Wales.

Top ten of stop and search by 1,000 population by police force area for Black

people (Greater Manchester Police is excluded as they were unable to provide

complete data in 2019/20):

Metropolitan police: 71

Essex: 47

Merseyside: 65

Sussex: 47

South Wales: 55

West Mercia: 41

Dorset: 48

Gwent: 40

Norfolk: 48

Hampshire: 40

Source:

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/crime-justice-and-the-law/policing/stop-and-

search/latest#by-ethnicity-and-area

Arrests

Black children are over four times more likely to be arrested than White

children.

Arrests of children for notifiable offences by ethnicity as a proportion of total

arrests of children, England and Wales (relative rate index), years ending

March 2010 to 2020:

White: 1

Black: 4.6

Asian: 1

Mixed: 2.3

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales

First time entrants

The number of 10 to 17-year-old first time entrants (FTE) to the youth justice

system has been falling for each ethnicity over the last ten years.

Looking at the number of first time entrants (FTE) to the youth justice system by

ethnicity, England and Wales, years ending December 2009 to 2019, FTEs from

a White ethnic background have fallen at the fastest rate, by 87% over the last

ten years, resulting in the proportion they comprise of all FTEs reducing from

85% to 75%.The proportion of FTEs from a Black background has increased

over the last ten years, from 9% to 16%.

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly

Cautions

Looking at the proportions of youth cautions given to children by ethnicity, year

ending March 2010 to 2020, the proportions of youth cautions issued have

decreased for White children and increased for Black (from 7% to 12%) and

Asian children (from 4% to 6%).

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly

What we are doing

Over the past year we have:

•

Worked with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners to review

the guidance they issue so that diversity and disproportionality are

considered within Police and Crime Plans.

•

Worked with the National Police Chief Council across four police forces

seeking to address the disparity in out-of-court disposals, particularly

Community Resolutions in England and Wales. The police forces involved

include the Metropolitan Police Service, Merseyside Police Force, Sussex

Police Force and Gwent Police Force.

•

Worked with the Criminal Justice in Wales Board as a member of its working

group to develop a one-public-service approach to advance race equality in

Wales. The working group is developing plans to reduce the over-

representation of ethnic minorities in the criminal justice system. The group

is also looking to address the under-representation of people from ethnic

minorities in the criminal justice workforce.

What we are doing: data sharing

Over the past year we have:

•

Shared the Summary Ethnic Disproportionality Tool to local areas. This tool

provides information about how members of all ethnic groups were

represented in the youth justice system in England and Wales in the years

ending March 2012 to March 2019.

•

Delivered training and provided access for staff from the Office of Police and

Crime Commissioners to the Summary Ethnic Disproportionality Tool which

they can share with PCC’s nationally to help them understand the data

relating to ethnicity for their areas.

•

Provided access to the Summary Ethnic Disproportionality Tool to HMI

Probation to add to their information bank for identifying areas for inspection

- including Black and Mixed heritage boys. We will continue to work with

them to determine how inspections on disproportionality are more thorough

in terms of findings. We have met with the Lead Inspector to discuss early

findings and possible recommendations.

Offences

Serious offences

The number and proportion of serious and non-serious proven offences by

ethnicity, year ending March 2020:

Source:  

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/youth-justice-statistics

Serious offences: look closer

Number and proportion of proven offences by ethnicity and offence group,  year

ending March 2020:

Source:  

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/youth-justice-statistics

Serious offences: look closer

Number and proportion of proven offences by ethnicity and offence group,  year

ending March 2020:

Source:  

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/youth-justice-statistics

Serious offences and custody

For the year ending March 2020, children from ethnic minorities accounted for

40% of serious offences but accounted for 51% of children in custody.

For the year ending March 2020:

Source:   

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/youth-justice-statistics

Knife offences

In the year ending 2020, Black children committed over a quarter (27%) of knife

and offensive weapon offences resulting in a caution or sentence.

Source:  

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/knife-possession-sentencing-quarterly

Victims of homicide

Across all ages there were 695 victims of homicide in the year ending March

2020.

Just under two-thirds (443 or 64%) of all homicide victims in the year ending

March 2020 were White. Nearly a sixth of all homicide victims (105 or 15%)

were Black.

When compared to the general population, Black people are five times more

likely than White people to become victims of homicide.

Around half (49%) of Black victims were in the 16 to 24-years-old age group.

Source:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/homicideinengla

ndandwales/yearendingmarch2020#groups-of-people-most-likely-to-be-victims-of-homicide

Knife homicides

Across all ages there were 275 homicides committed using a knife or other

sharp instrument recorded in the year ending March 2020.

This was an increase of 6% compared with the previous year. This was the

second highest annual total seen since the Homicide Index began in 1946, and

six fewer than the peak in year ending March 2018.

A quarter (27%; 75 victims) were identified as Black, an increase of 15 victims

compared with the previous year and the highest annual total since year ending

March 1997 (when ethnicity started to be recorded on a consistent basis on the

Homicide Index). Of these 75 Black homicide victims, 43 were aged 16 to 24

years

Source:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/homicideinengla

ndandwales/yearendingmarch2020#groups-of-people-most-likely-to-be-victims-of-homicide

Court

Assessing the needs of sentenced children

Within the 2019/2020 experimental statistics bulletin on 'assessing the needs of

sentenced children in the youth justice system' we learned that:

Of those assessed, White children had a smaller proportion (27%) of High or

Very High Risk of Serious Harm ratings compared to children from all the other

ethnic groups.

A greater proportion of children from ethnic minorities had concerns with local

issues (Asian 40%, Black 58%, Mixed 50% and Other 50%) compared with

White children (39%). However, a greater proportion of White children had

mental health concerns (76%) compared to all those from a ethnic minority

background with the exception of Mixed ethnicity children (Asian 54%, Black

61%, Mixed 76% and Other 65%).

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-justice-statistics-2019-to-2020

Assessing the needs of sentenced children

Assessed risk of serious harm, year ending March 2020:

White: 27%

Black: 46%

Asian: 29%

Mixed: 38%

Other: 40%

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-justice-statistics-2019-to-2020

Sentenced to custody

Over the last year, the number of sentences to immediate custody for children

fell by just under 40%. The numbers fell by over 30% for all ethnic groups

except for children from a Mixed background, which only fell by 10%.

All ethnic groups have seen decreases over the decade. However, there was a

smaller decrease for Black children when compared to other ethnic groups

leading to an increase in the proportion of youth cautions Black children made

up of the total, from 22% to 26% over the last five years.

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-

december-2020

What we are doing

Over the past year we have:

•

Held a roundtable event jointly with the Magistrates Association looking at

over-representation and agreed the development of a disparity protocol and

checklist for magistrates.

•

Continued to work with Transform Justice, MOPAC and other stakeholders in

London looking at issues around remand from police custody and court.

What we are doing

Following the publication of research in January 2021 that looked at ethnic

disparity in remand and sentencing, the YJB will:

•

Work with the National Police and Crime Commissioners on issues raised

relating to out-of-court disposals

•

Work with the Workforce Development Council, Association for YOT

Managers/ YOT Managers Cymru, and youth offending teams (YOTs) to

consider the issues raised relating to the assessments of children to ensure

ethnic disproportionality considerations are incorporated into the quality

assurance process

•

Reflect our learning from the research within the relevant areas of the case

management guidance

•

Undertake further research to understand the judiciary’s use and experience

of the advice they receive from YOTs and other professionals when making

remand and sentencing decisions for children.

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-

december-2020

Custody

Custodial population

In the year ending March 2021, the proportion of children in custody from a

Black background remained at 28%, five years ago it was 21%.Children from

ethnic minorities (excluding White minorities) made up more than half (52%) of

all children in custody.

Proportion of children in custody by ethnicity, year ending March 2021:

White: 48%

Black: 28%

Asian and Other: 10%

Mixed: 14%

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-justice-statistics-2019-to-2020

Type of secure setting

For the year ending March 2021, children from ethnic minority backgrounds

made up the highest proportion of those in young offender institutions (55%).

The average percentage of children in custody by ethnicity and type of

establishment, year ending March 2021 (This is the latest data, in advance of

the decision in June 2021 to remove children from Rainsbrook Secure Training

Centre):

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-custody-data

Average length of sentence

Asian children had the highest average custodial sentence length at 20 months,

children from Chinese or Other background had the lowest average sentence

length at 15.6 months.

Our remand and sentencing research also highlighted that Asian and Black

children are likely to have longer sentences compared to White children.

Average custodial sentence length for children in months, year ending

December 2020:

White: 17

Black: 18

Asian: 20

Mixed: 19

Chinese or Other: 16

Not stated: 16

Sources: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-

december-2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-justice-statistics-2019-to-2020

Violence against the person

Over half (67%) of those in custody for violence against the person offences

were from a Black background.

Proportion of children in custody for violence against the person offences

(under-18s only, year ending March 2020):

White: 46%

Black: 67%

Asian and Other: 58%

Mixed: 62%

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-custody-data

Violence against the person: look closer

For the year ending March 2020, 30% of all offences committed by White

children were violence against the person, compared to 33% for Black children.

However, a higher proportion of Black children (13%) received immediate

custody for violence against the person compared to White children (9%).

Immediate custody as a proportion of all sentencing occasions given to

children, year ended March 2020:

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-custody-data

Behaviour management

For the year ending March 2020, the rate of restraints (restrictive physical

intervention)  increased by more than 20% for both ethnic minority and White

children.

Over the same period, the average monthly rate of self harm per 100 children in

custody was higher for White children, who have consistently had a higher rate

over the last five years. However, the rate for Black, Asian and other ethnic

minority children increased sharply in each of the last two years.

When looking at the number of incidents of assault, in the year ending March

2020, the average monthly rates per 100 children in custody were higher for

Black, Asian or other ethnic minority children (57.1 compared to 45.3 for White

children).

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-justice-statistics-2019-to-2020

Behaviour management

The average monthly rates for the use of single separation were higher for

White children (105.3 compared to 77.5 for those from a Black, Asian or other

ethnic minority background.

Finally, the average monthly rate of the use of force per 100 children in custody

was highest for Black children and lowest for children from an Other

background.

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-justice-statistics-2019-to-2020

Remand

The number of children remanded to youth custody has decreased for each

ethnic group, except for children from a Black background.

The proportion that Black children comprise increased from 33% to 35% in the

last year. This is the highest proportion in the last ten years and compares to

21% ten years ago.

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-justice-statistics-2019-to-2020

Remand research

Research, published by the YJB in January 2021, looked at ethnic disparity in

remand and sentencing.

An examination of youth offending team case management data and AssetPlus

assessments between 2017 and 2019 revealed that after demographic and

offence-related factors were taken into account, disproportionality in some court

sentence outcomes persisted for Black children but not for other ethnic minority

groups.

Sources: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ethnic-disproportionality-in-remand-and-

sentencing-in-the-youth-justice-system

Remand research: key findings

The key findings were:

1. Children from ethnic minority backgrounds tended to receive more restrictive

remand options and harsher, longer sentences than White children. However, most

differences were not significant or could be explained by objective factors like

offending.

2. The following could not be accounted for by objective factors:

•

There are more restrictive remand outcomes for Black and Mixed ethnicity

children

•

There are fewer out-of-court disposals for Black, Asian and Mixed ethnicity

children

•

There are harsher court sentences for Black children

3. The influence of remand decision on sentencing decision can further drive

disproportionality.

4. Differences in practitioner-assessed risk and wellbeing of children of different

ethnicities, can further explain disproportionality.

5. Disproportionality for Black children could not be fully explained by objective

factors, remand status, and practitioner assessed factors.

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ethnic-disproportionality-in-remand-and-

sentencing-in-the-youth-justice-system

Magistrates’ court

The proportion of children remanded to custody at a magistrates’ court was 3%.

Black children had the highest rate at 6% and Asian children had the lowest

rate (4%).

White: 4%

Black: 6%

Asian: 4%

Mixed: 6%

Chinese and Other: 6%

Not stated: 5%

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-

december-2020

Crown Court

The proportion of children remanded to custody at a Crown Court was 45%.

Black, Asian and Chinese and Other children had the joint highest rate at 55%,

those whose ethnicity was not stated had the lowest rate (38%).

White: 45%

Black: 55%

Asian: 55%

Mixed: 44%

Chinese and Other: 55%

Not stated: 38%

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-

december-2020

What the Youth Custody Service is doing

•

Recent Youth Custody Service (YCS) activity included:

•

an analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to prioritise diversity and

inclusion activity

•

developed and published five effective practice briefings:

•

supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children

•

supporting children with autism spectrum condition

•

a practical guide to supporting children who have specific personal,

cultural or religious care needs

•

supporting conversations around difference

•

supporting children who are Muslim

•

developed a 'Girls project', which includes commissioning research into their

needs

•

developed an equalities data tool

•

conducted research (CoRE) during the pandemic which included a diversity and

inclusion lens, looking at what worked well during the pandemic and what didn’t

to shape future regimes.

What the Youth Custody Service is doing

The YCS also:

•

reviewed the minimising and managing physical restraint manual and the

'Separation Framework' to ensure that diversity and inclusion was included

•

ran autism virtual reality training at Cookham Wood Young Offender

Institution

•

ran 'Let’s talk about' events on the following: Race, Disability, Allyship,

LGBTI+.

Activity following annual analysis of data

The YCS conducts an annual analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to help it

prioritise disproportionate outcome areas. The following activity is in response to

these findings:

•

supporting equality leads in establishments to conduct meaningful analysis

•

conducting an estate wide needs analysis of children in its care

•

facilitating a working group to specifically review the needs of Black boys

•

developing a bespoke girls strategy implementing the CHAT tool and data

capture

•

reviewing the complaints system

•

composing further effective practice briefings (topics not yet be confirmed)

•

analysing the ‘community peace’ training at Werrington Young Offender

Institution (YOI) and consideration for this to be cascaded across all public YOI’s

•

'Let’s talk about' events on intersectionality and age

•

making August, 'Youth Inclusion Month’.

Activity following annual analysis of data

CoRE is helping the YCS to ‘build back better’, taking learning from the

pandemic and what worked best to improve delivery to children in its care.

There was engagement with the Race Action Programme, a three year

programme, across the following five work streams:

•

policy and data

•

staff recruitment and retention

•

safe spaces for staff and children in our care

•

diversity and inclusion training

•

third sector engagement from ethnic minority groups.

Reoffending

Rate of reoffending

Black  children have the highest reoffending rate at 45%, Asian children have

the lowest at 30%.

However, Black children have also shown the greatest decline in reoffending, it

has decreased by 3.2 percentage points from the same quarter in the previous

year, White children have shown a decrease of 2.7 percentage point and Asian

children have shown no change.

Source: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/proven-reoffending-statistics-january-to-

march-2019

What we are doing

Over the past year we have:

•

Updated the Reoffending Disproportionality Tool on a regular basis which

highlights over-representation of ethnic groups according to youth

reoffending data. It allows YOTs to look at their own performance and

compare it with other YOTs' regional and national averages.

•

The YJB is also looking to undertake research to understand ethnic

disproportionality in youth reoffending rates.

In summary

In summary

Over the past year we have:

•

Held a roundtable employability event which considered how we could

support children into meaningful employment.

•

Continued to work with the Department for Work and Pensions to pilot a

Mentoring Circles programme for 16 and 17-year-old's in the London

boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich.

•

Provided MoJ funding so that Lewisham Youth Offending Service and Power

The Fight could deliver the 'cultural responses to trauma and serious

violence' project.

•

Continued working with the Alliance of Sport on the Levelling the Playing

Field project.

•

Started a three-year project on the COVID-19 response to over-represented

children in the London boroughs of Brent and Newham.

In summary

Over the past year we have:

•

Worked with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners to review

the guidance they issue so that diversity and disproportionality are

considered within Police and Crime Plans.

•

Worked with the National Police Chief Council across four police forces

seeking to address the disparity in out-of-court disposals, particularly

Community Resolutions in England and Wales.

•

Worked with the Criminal Justice in Wales Board as a member of its working

group to develop a one-public-service approach to advance race equality in

Wales.

•

Shared the Summary Ethnic Disproportionality Tool to local areas.

•

Delivered training and provided access for staff from the Office of Police and

Crime Commissioners to the Summary Ethnic Disproportionality Tool which

they can share with PCC’s nationally to help them understand the data

relating to ethnicity for their areas.

In summary

Over the past year we have:

•

Provided access to the Summary Ethnic Disproportionality Tool to HMI Probation

to add to their information bank for identifying areas for inspection.

•

Held a roundtable event jointly with the Magistrates Association looking at over-

representation and agreed the development of a disparity protocol and checklist

for magistrates.

•

Continued to work with Transform Justice, MOPAC and other stakeholders in

London looking at issues around remand from police custody and court.

•

Published research that looked at ethnic disparity in remand and sentencing.

•

Updated the Reoffending Disproportionality Tool.

However, while we remain determined to change the system, we can’t do this

alone. We will continue to need the help of government departments, agencies and

statutory functions.

We ALL need to look at the evidence and ask ourselves, “are children from ethnic

minority backgrounds over-represented in my area? If so, can I explain why that is,

and if I can’t, what am I going to do about it?”

Notes on the data

Notes on the data

We developed this presentation to highlight where disproportionality occurs and

to help bring about change. Wherever possible we used the most up to date

data available. All of the data shown includes Wales unless we specifically say

that it is for England only.

Wherever possible we used the data for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller  children in

this presentation.

We have also extended the ethnic categorisation within the case management

system for youth offending teams to include Gypsy, Roma and Traveller

children. This will enable us to explore and better understand the experiences

of these children throughout the youth justice system and identify areas for

potential work.

All ethnicity numbers or proportions in the general under 18-year-old population

are from the 2011 Census. This is also true where rates per 1,000 children are

used. We ask that you bear in mind that this data is now ten years old and the

corresponding numbers or proportions may have changed. Initial data from the

2021 Census will be available in 2022.

Notes on recording ethnicity

In this publication we include two measures to record ethnicity: officer identified

ethnicity and self-identified ethnicity. This appendix details the categorical

breakdowns of both types of ethnicity.

O

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E

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y

Officer identified ethnicity is ethnicity as recorded by a police officer or a

member of the administrative or clerical team, based on visual appearance. The

data is initially inputted into six detailed categories, which are then re-

categorised in the Court Proceedings database into the following four

categories: Black, White, Asian, other. This is known as 4+1 and most sections

in this report use this classification when referring to officer identified ethnicity.

S

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Self-identified ethnicity is ethnicity as defined by an individual. Categories are

based on the classifications as defined by the 2001 and 2011 Census. The

ONS introduced two further categories to the Census in 2011: ‘White –Gypsy or

Irish Traveller’ and ‘Arab’; and moved ‘Chinese’ to the broader Asian category.

To allow for comparability with previous editions of Race and the Criminal

Justice System, Chinese are placed in the ‘Chinese or Other’, or ‘Other’

category, following the 2001 Census.

Source:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data

/file/849200/statistics-on-race-and-the-cjs-2018.pdf

The main ethnic groups

In England and Wales, there are 18 ethnic groups recommended for use by the

government when asking for someone’s ethnicity. These are grouped into the

following 5 ethnic groups, each with an ‘Any other’ option where people can

write in their ethnicity using their own words.

W

h

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English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British (in Wales, ‘Welsh’ is the

first option)

•

Irish

•

Gypsy or Irish Traveller

•

Any other White background

M

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M

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White and Black Caribbean

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White and Black African

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White and Asian

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Any other Mixed or Multiple ethnic background.

The main ethnic groups

A

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A

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B

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Indian

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Pakistani

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Bangladeshi

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Chinese

Any other Asian background

B

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C

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African

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Caribbean

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Any other Black, African or Caribbean background

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Arab

These groups were used in the 2011 Census of England and Wales.

What is RRI

We use the relative rate index (RRI) in this presentation to compare the relative

difference in rates between two fixed populations. This was a recommendation from

the 2017 Lammy Review.

We used the RRI, rates for each ethnic group relative to the white ethnic group.

These were compared to determine whether outcomes differed significantly.

An RRI value of ‘one’ indicates no disparity, whereas an RRI greater than one

means the group of interest had a greater likelihood of experiencing the particular

outcome. An RRI less than one indicates the group of interest was less likely than

the White ethnic group to experience that outcome.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-review-of-disparities-in-risks-

and-outcomes

Please note that there has been a change to the methodology used to determine

the level of disproportionality for knife possession offences. In the previous version

of the presentation (July 2019) the relative rate index (RRI) for knife possession

was determined by comparing the number of possession offences by ethnicity with

the general population by ethnicity, in this version of the knife possession offences

are compared with the number of arrests by ethnicity data to calculate a RRI.

We made this change to stay in line with guidance on using RRI that recommends

that comparisons should be made against the previous stage in the criminal justice

system, in this case the arrest stage, rather than with the general population.

Find out more

It is our strategic objective to influence the youth justice system to treat children

fairly and reduce ethnic disproportionality.

As part of our Child First approach, we will prioritise the best interests of

children and recognise their particular needs, capacities, rights and potential.

All work is child-focused, developmentally informed, acknowledges structural

barriers and meets responsibilities towards children.

You can find out more about how we intend to do this in our business plan.

Email 

YJBdeliverysupportteam@yjb.gov.uk

 with general queries about this

presentation.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/yjb-business-plan-2021-to-2022