The Secretaries of State for Justice and Children, Schools and Families, Jack Straw and Ed Balls are to address more than 1,000 youth justice professionals on Wednesday and Thursday.

The annual convention is the leading policy and networking event for those committed to tackling and preventing youth crime and anti-social behaviour.

The event, which will be held at the Harrogate International Centre, brings together experts from the youth justice system including Youth Offending Teams, the police, local authorities, probation workers and custody officers.

This year's convention marks a decade of youth justice reform and will focus on the way the system has changed over the past ten years.

It will also feature an exhibition of artwork by children and young people who are in custody.

The art show is staged each year by the YJB to showcase the talents of under 18s, with many pieces on display being used to contribute to qualifications which can be used by the young people to build a positive life on release.

Visitors to the event will also have the chance to meet award-winning community mascot Mr Green. Mr Green is a skeleton character created by East Coast Productions who, through special resource packs, which include a DVD, encourages all sections of the community to focus on working together to promote social awareness.

Frances Done, chairman of the YJB, said: "The annual convention is a fantastic event for practitioners working in the youth justice system. It is an opportunity for practitioners to come together to share ideas, network and promote best practice."

Mr Balls and Straw will be joined at the two-day Youth Justice Board Convention by ministers Beverley Hughes and David Hanson.

Other guest speakers will include journalist Polly Toynbee, Metropolitan Police Commander Rod Jarman and Dominique Walker, sister of murdered student Anthony Walker.