Inspectors have praised Liverpool Youth Offending Service (YOS) for its work with children and young people who are serving court sentences.

HM Inspectorate of Probation found some “impressive” practices in place, with staff committed to supporting children and young people in custody and in the community. The Inspectorate has given Liverpool YOS an overall ‘Good’ rating.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “Liverpool has relatively high rates of crime and deprivation, with almost one in three children living in poverty. Despite this tough environment, the YOS is doing excellent work with children and young people who have come before the courts.

“Staff take the time to understand these young people, their personal circumstances and why they committed the offence. Crucially, staff work together with young people to put steps in place to reduce the likelihood of further offending.”

Inspectors noted the service has a stable workforce, vacancy rates are low and most staff stated their workload is manageable. Staff demonstrated a high level of commitment and motivation.

In contrast, the YOS’s work with children and young people who were being dealt with outside the court system was “disappointing”. In these cases, children and young people came to the attention of the police because of their offending behaviour but are not charged. Instead, they are given conditional cautions or community resolutions.

Mr Russell said: “There was a marked difference in the quality of the YOS’s work with this group. In most of the inspected cases, the YOS did not assess children and young people properly. As such, they did not have a full picture of their personal circumstances, why they offended or what would prevent them from offending again.

“Some of the children and young people have extensive difficulties in their lives and we could not see how the YOS could make a positive impact in their lives under the current arrangement. Indeed, there is a danger of the expectations of families being raised, but no effective help being delivered.”

Inspectors were joined by colleagues from police, health, social care and education. While children and young people have access to a broad range of specialist staff and health services, more could be done to ensure they take up education and training opportunities.

Mr Russell added: “We would like to see improved communication between the strategic and operational levels of the organisation. Liverpool YOS has some real strengths and their best work is of outstanding quality. However, they need to bring the quality of their work with children and young people being dealt with outside the court system up to an acceptable standard.”

ENDS

 Notes to editor

1. The report is available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 14 June 2019 00:01.
2. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services in England and Wales. Inspectors were joined by colleagues from police, health, social care and education for this inspection.
3. Youth Offending Teams, which deliver youth offending services, supervise 10 to 18-year olds who have been sentenced by a court, or who have come to the attention of the police because of their offending behaviour but have not been charged and instead are dealt with out of court.
4. Liverpool ranks as the seventh most deprived of 326 Local Authorities in England.
5. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in March 2019.
6. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Catherine Chan on 07889 405930 or media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)