Youth offending is at an all-time low Annual report highlights best levels in a decade
The number of young people offending in Perth and Kinross has fallen to an all-time low.
The overall number of crimes has also fallen in the region to its lowest level in 10 years, according to the chief social worker’s annual report.
This comes after latest figures show from April 2016 to April 2017 a total of 4527 crimes were recorded, compared to 6890 in the same period for 2007-2008.
Members of the Perth and Kinross integrated joint board (IJB) were also told at the meeting on Tuesday, March 6 crimes of dishonesty were also down by 40 per cent, and less adults were reconvicting after leaving the prison system.
Reconviction rates are now below the national average of 28.2 per cent, with the local rate sitting at only 21.5 per cent.
The report, written by Perth and Kinross Council’s chief social worker Jacquie Pepper also noted more young people are choosing to remain in their care placements as they grow up.
It read: “Notable performance highlights in social care and social work services include increasing numbers of care experienced young people between 16 and 21 years are remaining in their care placements. Young people are confidently opting for continuing care and staying on within nurturing caring placements into adulthood.
“A high percentage of young people remain in touch after leaving care benefiting from support, advice and guidance.”
Speaking at the meeting held at 2 High Street in Perth, Jacquie Pepper said: “This shows very positive and sustainable performance against targets, so this is a very positive report. But, this has been achieved against a backdrop of increased demand on older people and looked after care as well.
“The report itself shows contribution of social work to the public, but also demonstrates the motivation and commitment of the social care workforce in Perth and Kinross.”
Despite the positives highlighted in the report, warnings were issued to those at the meeting that the demand on social care services will increase in the next few years.
In particular the number of older people using social care services is expected to increase, with the report predicting the number of people over the age of 75 in Perth and Kinross will increase by 70 per cent in the next 20 years from 15,512 to 26,694.
The report warned: “The challenges ahead for social care and social work services are unparalleled. Rising demand, the need to redesign and change while maintaining business continuing all at a time of diminishing resources creates significant pressures on the workforce.”
It added: “The social care and social work workforce will experience considerable organisational change as well as adjustment to their professional roles over the next few years.”
At the meeting Jacquie Pepper also highlighted a number of key priorities for social work in the area moving forward, including reducing unplanned admissions to hospital, managing delayed discharges, increasing community support, and introducing a new model for community justice.