Celebrating the award-winning Youth Justice Service

The Isle of Wight Council is proud to share that the Island’s Youth Justice Service has been awarded the national John Hawkins Award for Innovation and Creativity in Youth Justice.

Members of the Youth Justice Service team recently attended the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers autumn conference. There they received, on behalf, of the Isle of Wight Youth Justice Service, the national John Hawkins Award for Innovation and Creativity in Youth Justice. 

There were eight nominations for other Youth Justice Services in the UK, but the Island’s very own Youth Justice were the well deserving winners of this award due to the quality of the provision offered to support young people during the recent school summer holidays.

Ashley Whittaker Strategic Director of Children’s Services said ‘‘This award is testament to the dedication, creativity, and compassion that our Youth Justice Service team consistently provides. Their Summer Offer 2025 not only inspired national recognition, but more importantly, it made a lasting impact on the lives of the young people we serve. We are incredibly proud to see the team honoured with the John Hawkins Award."

Councillor Debbie Andre, the council’s representative on the Youth Justice Management Board, commented "The Youth Justice Service on the Isle of Wight exemplifies what can be achieved when partnerships are strong and the voices of children, young people, and families are truly heard. Their strategic vision, innovative practices, and careful use of resources reflect a deep commitment to early intervention and community wellbeing. We are proud to support a service that leads with compassion, accountability, and excellence."

Further information on the Island’s Youth Justice Service can be found on our website by visiting Youth Justice Service