Blackpool Youth Justice Service (YJS) has greatly improved according to HM Inspectorate of Probation, following a recent inspection.

In 2018, the service was rated ‘Inadequate’ but they have since addressed areas of poor practice and have now been awarded an overall rating of ‘Good’ (the Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’).

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “Blackpool YJS has improved significantly since our 2018 inspection. The service has seen substantial reorganisation – it is now well organised, has effective scrutiny and clear direction. This has resulted in good quality work across all areas and is a significant achievement for the town and a credit to those involved.”

The Inspectorate worked jointly with partner inspectors from policing, health, social care and education to undertake this inspection. Three broad areas were examined: the arrangements for organisational delivery of the service, the quality of work done with children sentenced by the courts, and the quality of out-of-court work (such as community sentences).

Inspectors were impressed with senior leaders and staff at Blackpool YJS, and credited their work with other agencies, and in using strategies such as ‘Blackpool Families Rock’, in establishing a unified approach to delivering children’s services.

Mr Russell continued: “We found that morale is high, and leaders and staff are motivated. When a youth justice service is so keen to develop, we see the quality improve. Some areas of their work were even rated ‘Outstanding’. This is a considerable achievement: improving opportunities for children under supervision and reducing their chances of reoffending – this should not be underestimated.”

Inspectors noted extensive improvements in key areas, such as the relationships between staff, children under supervision and their parents/carers. In addition, Blackpool YJS has reaffirmed partnerships with the police, and secured better access for children to mental health services. There is clear planning for each child, proper analysis of their risk of harm, and a focus on getting children into education or vocational training.

Mr Russell concluded: “This a youth justice service heading in the right direction with the right priorities. The service has been overhauled, and they have a solid foundation to maintain this ‘Good’ standard. We have made a number of recommendations, and hope that our inspection will only provide the motivation to improve even further.”

The Inspectorate made a number of recommendations to Blackpool YJS, including reducing the number of children not in education, training or employment and putting in place contingency plans for children where the risk to their safety may increase.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. The report is available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 07 September 2021 00.01.
2. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
3. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’. The Inspectorate rates specific aspects of each service and also gives an overall rating.
4. HM Inspectorate of Probation conducted the inspection with colleagues from health, police, education and social care inspectorates: HM Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS), Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
5. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in May and June 2021.
6. The recommendations made following this inspection are detailed on page 11 of the inspection report.
7. For media enquiries, please contact Corporate Communications Manager Diane Bramall on 07929 790 564 or media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)