Secretary of State for Justice appoints Phil Bowen as Interim Chair of the Youth Justice Board to guide youth justice reforms across England and Wales

There’s a new name taking the lead at the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales — at least for now.

Phil Bowen has been appointed as Interim Chair, following an announcement from the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor.

It’s not a leap into the unknown for Bowen.

He’s already been serving as a Board member since March 2023, so he knows the terrain, the people and the pressures that come with overseeing youth justice at a national level.

This isn’t someone walking in cold — it’s more of a steady hand stepping forward.

A Vote of Confidence from Within

Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, who chairs the YJB, was quick to welcome Bowen into the interim role.

She pointed to his experience on the Board and his deep understanding of how youth justice services actually function on the ground.

Importantly, she highlighted something that has become central to modern youth justice thinking — evidence-based practice and diversion.

In simple terms, that means using research and data to guide decisions and focusing on steering children away from crime before they become entrenched in the system.

Continuity seems to be the key word here.

At a time when public services are under pressure and scrutiny, stability at the top matters.

Bowen’s appointment is clearly intended to keep the Board’s improvement work on track while broader changes unfold.

Why This Role Matters Right Now

Youth justice in England and Wales has undergone significant transformation over the past 20 years.

Since the early 2000s, the number of children entering the justice system has fallen dramatically.

Custody rates for young people are far lower than they once were.

Diversion schemes, community resolutions and targeted prevention work have helped reduce first-time entrants.

But that doesn’t mean the job is done.

Serious youth violence, exploitation, county lines drug networks and persistent antisocial behaviour continue to challenge communities.

At the same time, there are longstanding concerns about racial disparities in the system and unequal access to mental health, education and support services.

Bowen acknowledged that balance — recognising the progress made, while being frank about the hurdles ahead.

Bowen’s Take on the Challenge

In his first remarks as Interim Chair, Bowen described the role as an honour — and an important responsibility at a critical time.

He emphasised the core mission of youth justice services: preventing offending, supporting victims and building safer communities.

That’s a three-part balancing act. It’s about helping children move away from crime, making sure those harmed by crime are heard and supported, and reassuring the wider public that the system works.

He also pointed to something often overlooked — the people behind the system.

Youth justice professionals, volunteers and local partners across England and Wales form a network that does the day-to-day work of intervention, mentoring, safeguarding and supervision.

Bowen made clear he’s seen their impact firsthand during his time on the Board.

A System in Transition

One of the more intriguing aspects of Bowen’s comments is his reference to the YJB’s changing remit.

While specific reforms are still unfolding, youth justice policy in recent years has increasingly focused on earlier intervention, trauma-informed approaches and stronger partnership working between police, schools, social care and health services.

There is also ongoing discussion at government level about how youth justice governance should evolve.

The YJB itself was created under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, following widespread concern about youth crime in the 1990s.

Since then, it has overseen national standards, distributed funding and monitored local youth offending teams.

As reforms continue, having leadership that understands both the operational detail and the policy landscape is likely to be crucial.

The Bigger Picture in Youth Justice

Across England and Wales, youth justice services operate locally but are guided nationally.

They work with children aged 10 to 17 who have offended or are at risk of offending.

Many of these young people face complex challenges — poverty, unstable housing, school exclusion, mental health difficulties or involvement in care.

Recent inspectorate reports have shown improvement in many areas but also flagged concerns about workloads, funding pressures and the need for stronger partnership coordination.

The emphasis on evidence and innovation — something Bowen has signalled he supports — reflects a broader shift in public services toward data-driven decisions and measurable impact.

What’s Next

Phil Bowen’s appointment is interim, meaning a permanent chair is expected to be named in due course.

The process for that selection will likely follow public appointments procedures overseen by the Ministry of Justice.

In the meantime, the Youth Justice Board will continue its core functions — supporting local services, publishing guidance, monitoring performance and advising ministers.

We can also expect further clarity on how the YJB’s remit may evolve, particularly as government priorities around crime prevention, public protection and community safety continue to develop.

For Bowen, the immediate task will be steady leadership: maintaining momentum, reassuring partners and ensuring that the focus stays firmly on improving outcomes for children and protecting communities.

Summary

Phil Bowen has been appointed as Interim Chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.

A Board member since March 2023, he steps into the role with experience and a focus on evidence-based practice and diversion.

While youth justice has seen significant improvements over the past two decades, challenges such as serious violence, inequality and access to services remain.

Bowen has pledged to provide stable leadership during a period of change and to continue supporting youth justice services in improving outcomes for children, victims and communities.h