A NEW agreement aimed at better supporting children in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who are looked after by local authorities is in the process of being signed.

The signatories include the Crown Prosecution Service, Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth and Southampton city councils, the police and crime commissioner, and Hampshire Constabulary.

The 14-page memorandum of understanding aims to minimise factors that lead to offending by ‘looked-after children’. As outlined in the new protocol, this “will only be achieved through improved joint working between all agencies and local authorities across the whole region”.

Looked-after children include those in foster care and children’s homes. Despite the efforts of all agencies, they continue to be significantly over-represented in the youth justice system and prison system compared with their peers.

The agreement identifies two significant areas of challenge – recognising and minimising pre-existing risk factors that place looked-after children at greater risk of offending, and protecting looked after children from a disproportionate response from the criminal justice system where their behaviour may have deep rooted causes.

The memorandum of understanding is in line with a wider South-East protocol that provides an overarching agreement ensuring that any looked-after child is afforded the same protection and consideration wherever in the south-east they may live.

Keith Mans, the county council’s executive lead member for children’s services, said: “We welcome the introduction of this protocol which will help to ensure that children in care get a fair chance of maximising their opportunities in life. We look forward to working with Hampshire Constabulary on the implementation of this protocol.”

Alison Jeffery, head of children’s services at Portsmouth City Council, said: “This protocol reflects an important joint commitment to ensure that the actions of looked-after children are not over criminalised and that we work together to ensure they have the best possible life chances. We are committed to playing our part fully in Portsmouth so that we all get this right together.”

Kate Brown, chief crown prosecutor of CPS Wessex, said: “The decision to prosecute looked after children for low-level offences committed within a children’s home is a serious one. It can have far-reaching, long-term consequences. A criminal justice disposal, whether a prosecution or non-charge disposal, should not be regarded as an automatic response to offending behaviour by a looked after child but rather we should work with partner agencies to secure a just and proportionate response.

“We are pleased to be working in this way with our partners to build public confidence.”

Michael Lane, newly-elected police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: “I am delighted that one of my first actions as commissioner is to do something for children, particularly those at risk where we have potential to improve their life opportunities.

“This protocol formalises a strong partnership of services and agencies and highlights another of my key objectives to create partnerships that maximise the value of our joint endeavours. I look forward to building upon the work around the region.”

Olivia Pinkney, Chief Constable of Hampshire, added: “Looked after children are some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“This agreement will help improve the support they need, not just from one local authority or agency but from all of the partners working together.”