Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service (YJS) has received an overall rating of ‘Good’ following an inspection led by HM Inspectorate of Probation.

This was a joint inspection undertaken with colleagues from the police, social care, and education. Dorset Combined YJS covers the areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, and Dorset.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service demonstrated that it cares for the children under their supervision and the safety of local people. Their focus on working out the needs of each child, and what services could help to deter them from further offences, was evident throughout this inspection. The rating of ‘Good’ is an indication that they are on the right path and are delivering a consistent quality of service.”

The report notes that Dorset YJS has access to a range of support services, with strong health provision which includes a psychologist, nurses and speech and language therapists. It is also well supported by local police, who are valued members of the YJS team, and there is a clear effort being made to understand the children under their supervision.

The inspection did find some areas for improvement, and too many children at the service did not have access to full-time education. We also found some instances where a lack of communication between the service and children’s social care had resulted in YJS managers not being invited to attend important meetings about a child. The service is committed to addressing these issues.

The report makes six recommendations to Dorset Combined YJS, including that their understanding of child exploitation and county lines crimes is improved, as a partnership, and better guidance is given to practitioners as to how to deal with such cases.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. This YOS works with children aged 10 to 17. The majority of children under their supervision are aged 15 to 17. The YJS supervise children with complex needs and some in the care of the local authority.
2. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’, rating specific aspects of each service and giving an overall rating.
3. 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 resolutions (out-of-court disposals). Resettlement work was separately rated as ‘Good’.
4. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 17 January 2023 00.01.
5. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
6. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in October 2022.
7. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Diane Bramall media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)