From August 2020, CYCJ will be known as the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (remaining CYCJ for short).
CYCJ has been known as the Centre for Youth & Criminal Justice since 2013. However, with changes in the systems, attitudes and terminology, the decision was made to choose a title that is more reflective of the centre’s ethos and focus on children and young people’s lives and experiences.
The new name aims to communicate that CYCJ’s purpose is about improving justice for and with children and young people.
It also makes it clear that CYCJ’s focus is on both children, recognising the distinct legal and developmental status of all those under 18 years of age, and on young people (those aged 18 to their mid 20s).
These changes are informed by, and are some of the ways in which CYCJ is keeping, the promise set out by the Independent Care Review, which was published in February 2020.
This is not just a name change but part of a wider strategy which recognises that in addition to the changes for others, CYCJ also needs to change and do more to strengthen the participation of children, young people and their families in shaping and improving justice policy and practice.
CYCJ’s Director, Claire Lightowler, says:
“We hope that the name will help hold us to account, inviting questions about the extent to which our work involves children and young people (as well as involves practitioners, policy makers and researchers). We recognise that we are on a journey and we need to learn, develop and grow if we are to live up to the name of the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice.”
Read more about this decision and the thinking behind it in Claire Lightowler’s blog.
We would be grateful if you could change your records accordingly, and share this information with your colleagues and networks.