The director of the National Probation Service is to take the helm at the Youth Justice Board following the announcement that current chief executive Lin Hinnigan is to step down.
Colin Allars will take over the body, which oversees the management and rehabilitation of young offenders, in July – when a review commissioned by justice secretary Michael Gove is due to report with recommendations on the troubled organisation’s restructuring. Announcing her resignation, Hinnigan conceded that the recommendations of former National College of Teaching and Leadership chief executive Charlie Taylor were likely to instigate a protracted period of change for the YJB.
Allars’ current role at the National Probation Service falls under the remit of the National Offender Management Service, which is part of the Ministry of Justice. Annocuing Allars' appointment, YJB chair Lord McNally highlighted his 30 years’ experience in the civil service.
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“Lin Hinnigan will be a tough act to follow,” Lord McNally said.
“I am very pleased to have appointed someone with the experience and reputation of Colin Allars to lead the YJB during a period of change and challenge.
“I look forward to working with Colin in ensuring that the YJB response to the youth justice review will be constructive and build on the achievements and progress of recent years.”
Part of the remit for the Taylor Review is to address a lack of progress on the YJB's part in reducing reoffending rates among young people over the past decade.
When Gove announced the review he said 67% of young people leaving custody still went on to commit further crime within a year.
Taylor’s remit includes exploring whether the current delivery models and governance arrangements for youth justice remain fit for purpose and achieve value for money.
Last month Gove announced that the National Offender Management Service would take over the management of the Medway Secure Training Centre in Kent following revelations about the mistreatment of young people made in a BBC TV Panorama documentary.
Further concerns about G4S-run secure institutions in Bridgend and Rainsbrook in Northamptonshire subsequently emerged.