An HM Inspectorate of Probation inspection of South Gloucestershire has found their youth offending team (YOT) to be an ‘Outstanding’ service.

The inspection, which took place in September, concluded that the YOT is performing to a high standard in all three key inspection areas: organisational delivery, court and out-of-court disposals.

South Gloucestershire YOT works with children aged 10 to 17 who are serving court sentences, or who have received cautions or community resolutions (out-of-court disposals). The majority of children under their supervision are aged 15 to 17 (73 per cent), male (73 per cent) and white (92 per cent).

HM Inspectorate of Probation Director of Operations Marc Baker said: “We rated South Gloucestershire youth offending team ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ in each area we inspected, which resulted in them receiving our highest rating overall.

“YOT staff are well trained and are skilled in engaging with children; they offer specialist support and are keen to develop their services further. Our inspectors were impressed with the quality of service available to children under their supervision.”

The Inspectorate praised the work undertaken by the YOT with children sentenced by the courts – citing their ability to assess children’s individual needs, their risk to the public and their work with family members.

For out-of-court disposals, South Gloucestershire YOT were rated highly for their decision-making and for their joint-working with partners and other services.

Mr Baker added: “Balancing the needs of children who have been to court, and those who have committed less serious offences is a difficult task. These children must be assessed properly and supported to ensure they are not a risk to themselves or others. To do this well, and provide children with proper educational and health support, sets an example to YOTS across England and Wales.”

Although the service received an ‘Outstanding’ rating, the Inspectorate has made a number of recommendations in order for them to improve further. This includes the team working to get feedback from both the children under their supervision and victims.

Mr Baker concluded: “We will always provide constructive feedback and make recommendations to help a service, no matter their overall rating. In the case of South Gloucestershire, we would like them to look closely at the provision of drug and alcohol diversion services, as this was an area where we felt the individual needs of children were not being fully addressed.”

Due to Covid-19, the Inspectorate had to carry out this inspection remotely, with cases analysed off-site and interviews conducted by video conference.

Ends

Notes to editor

1. The report is available at www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 06 January 2021.
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. A Management Board oversees the work of the service. Board members are drawn from the local authority, police, probation service, education and health services.
5. Recommendations to South Gloucestershire YOT, in full, are as follows:

The South Gloucestershire Youth Offending Team should:

1. ensure every Board member has a working knowledge of the YOT’s work
2. develop methods of gathering feedback from children to inform service delivery
3. review the approach to victims taken by the ‘harmed person’ worker to ensure victims understand the service on offer
4. develop a framework for managing those cases that remain open on a voluntary basis to ensure these children’s needs are identified and met by the most appropriate agency.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner should:

5. review the effectiveness of the Youth Alcohol and Drug Diversion disposal, and the process for delivering it, to ensure it meets the identified needs of the children who receive this disposal.

For media enquiries, please contact Catherine Chan on 07889 405930 or media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)