Celebrating our Youth Justice Service Hidden Heroes

Cabinet member for Children, Young People & Families Cllr Kamel Hawwash this week marked Hidden Heroes Day by paying tribute to staff at Birmingham Youth Justice Service (BYJS). 

Launched in 2020 by HRH The Princess Royal, Hidden Heroes Day recognises the work of staff working across UK prisons, Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs), probation, and youth justice services. 

The aim is to show appreciation for critical public servants whose demanding jobs are performed largely out of sight behind closed doors. 

That is certainly the case with BYJS, formerly known as the Youth Offending Service, which is the largest Youth Justice Service in the country and works with a range of partners, including the Police, health services and schools, to prevent and reduce offending by children and young people, so they can live healthy positive lives. 

Keen to champion the service and its staff, Cllr Hawash recorded a video message shared today with the entire BYJS team and has also arranged for the Library of Birmingham to be lit up tonight in the Hidden Heroes Day colours. 

Councillor Hawwash said: "Because the work of Birmingham Youth Justice Service is largely hidden from view, I'm sure it's easy for them to feel like a forgotten service. I wanted our brilliant staff to know that this is not the case. 

"They make an enormous difference every single day, helping vulnerable children and their families, supporting victims, preventing crime, and protecting the public. 

"As we all know, Birmingham is a young city, and we have a duty to support the needs of all young people across the city to live safe, positive lives with aspirational futures. And that is exactly what Birmingham Youth Justice Service does. In challenging circumstances, they support some of the most marginalised children in our city. 

"They are there for parents, carers, and communities - and they make Birmingham a better place. I wrote to staff this week to assure them that although their work is hidden, it is not unnoticed." 

Find out more about the Birmingham Youth Justice Service.