Monmouthshire & Torfaen (YOS) has received an overall rating of ‘Good’ following an inspection by HM Inspectorate of Probation.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “Monmouthshire & Torfaen Youth Offending Service has a strong understanding of the children they supervise and what it takes to reduce the risk of them being drawn back into committing further offences. However, improvements were required in specific elements of court work, such as the assessment of children’s safety and wellbeing, and in planning to manage risk of harm to others.”

Inspectors found staff at Monmouthshire & Torfaen YOS to be highly skilled and motivated in their supervision of children, particularly in the implementation and delivery of casework.  The YOS partnership has access to a wide volume and range of quality services, including specialist and mainstream interventions. Case managers supported YOS children to access such services swiftly, which led to positive outcomes.

However, inspectors judged that the service needs to improve its governance and leadership.  The YOS Management Board should establish a consistent, cohesive membership and set of arrangements, to allow it to communicate a clear vision across the partnership and to key stakeholders. We were encouraged that the new board chair recognises these challenges.

The report makes seven recommendations to Monmouthshire & Torfaen YOS, including that they develop a resettlement policy to further enhance arrangements for children leaving custody, which was separately rated as ‘Requires improvement’. Overall, inspectors found much to commend Monmouthshire & Torfaen YOS, and our recommendations will enable the YOS to build on their evident strengths and improve further.

ENDS

 Notes to editor

 Monmouthshire & Torfaen YOS works with children aged 10 to 17. The majority of children under their supervision are aged 15 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). It also rated the quality of resettlement work as ‘Requires improvement’.
3. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 20 October 2022 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 May 2022.
6. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Diane Bramall media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)