Staffordshire Youth Offending Service (YOS) has received an overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.

Interim Chief Inspector of Probation, Sue McAllister said: “The staffing arrangements at Staffordshire YOS are a real strength. The team are dedicated, passionate and benefit from impressive training and learning opportunities. However, we found arrangements for keeping the child and other people safe to be insufficient. The inconsistent approach to risk assessment for children subject to out-of-court disposals meant that in the majority of relevant cases, risks from the child had not been properly identified, analysed, or understood. This requires an immediate and full review to ensure risks are identified and addressed appropriately.”

This inspection also rated the quality of resettlement work – the key services which need to be in place when a child is released from custody, for example to meet accommodation needs as ‘Requires improvement’.

The YOS recognised that it needed to improve its knowledge and understanding of diversity and appropriate training had been undertaken. Inspectors found that this training had been utilised in case work and practitioners were skilled at recognising children’s diverse needs. However, the strategic approach remains underdeveloped. The management board needs to develop a clear strategic response to meet the needs of children working with the service and improve its understanding of those children who are over-represented.

Inspectors found Staffordshire YOS was taking a considered and proactive approach to maximise child and parent participation. Feedback from children, parents and carers was positive, with 22 out of the 29 responses from a survey undertaken for this inspection rating their experience with the YOS as 9/10 or above. This feedback is the highest Inspectors have seen during this inspection cycle.

We made 11 recommendations which we believe will have a positive impact on youth justice services in Staffordshire, including an immediate review of risk management processes to ensure a coordinated approach to keeping children and others safe. Four of these recommendations are for the management board, who need to have greater strategic input and oversight of key areas such as out-of-court disposals and resettlement.

ENDS

 Notes to editor

 This service works with children aged 10 to 17. The YOS supervise children with complex needs and some in the care of the local authority.

1. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’, rating specific aspects of each service and giving an overall rating.
2. The inspection looked at standards of organisational delivery (leadership, staffing and facilities), their management of children serving court sentences (court disposals) and children serving cautions or community sentences (out-of-court disposals). We rated work on resettlement separately as ‘Requires improvement’.
3. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 19 December 2023 00.01.
4. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
5. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in September 2023.
6. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)