The LCJB subgroups are agreed at the LCJB planning day and they work in partnership with criminal justice agencies to deliver on the annual priorities and support the Board. They are pivotal in delivering improvement throughout the criminal justice process and work hard to achieve our objectives set out annually. There are two subgroups which are:
Child First Oversight Group
The key purpose of the Child First subgroup is to enable all relevant agencies to meet, reflect, review and collaborate to improve the timeliness and pathways for children whether as defendants, victims or witnesses, while ensuring a ‘child first’ and trauma informed approach and to see children as children.
A Child First approach should equate to the best outcome possible, prioritising the best interests of children and recognising their needs, keeping children out of the Criminal Justice System with supportive and diversionary resolutions when appropriate.
Victims and Witnesses Subgroup
The aim of the subgroup is to work together across the Criminal Justice partnership to identify where gaps in service exist for victims and witnesses, consider what and how improvements can be made and support actions to improve the experiences of victims and witnesses.
The importance of appropriate justice is laid out within the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales (Nov 2020) and the Witness Charter. It is understood that many victims and witnesses are not fully aware of their rights and entitlements or the support services available to them.
It is the purpose of the Victims and Witnesses group to work together to understand where inefficiencies or gaps exist, identify improvements, make recommendations and champion change to achieve a more connected and whole-system approach.