Youth Justice Board for England and Wales

The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB), established in 1998 as a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice, oversees the youth justice system to prevent children and young people (aged 10-17) from offending or reoffending, foster safer communities, and promote rehabilitation through its Child First ethos. This approach prioritizes children's strengths, voices, inclusivity, equity, evidence-based advocacy, and multi-agency collaboration, guiding policy, research, innovation, and over £92 million in annual core funding to 157 local authority-led Youth Justice Services (YJS) in England and 17 in Wales, with tailored Welsh partnerships.

YJB funds thematic priorities including reducing racial and ethnic disparities, diversion from formal processes, preventing serious youth violence, victim support, and custody resettlement. It backs early intervention, trauma-informed mentoring, restorative justice, community diversion schemes, and bespoke services for vulnerable groups like care-experienced youth, girls, and minorities, primarily through local YJS partnerships rather than direct voluntary sector grants.

Unsolicited applications are not accepted; eligibility is restricted to statutory local authorities in England and Wales, with voluntary sector organizations eligible only via sub-contracts or partnerships with funded YJS. Typical core grants range from £300,000 to £1,000,000 annually, allocated via approved Youth Justice Plans due by 30 June; targeted innovation calls are invitation-only. YJB uniquely holds statutory oversight with a national data-driven perspective, emphasizing system-wide accountability, sector-led improvement, and minimizing criminalization—distinct from open funders by excluding independent charities and focusing exclusively on statutory delivery ecosystems.