Bexley Youth Justice Service (YJS) has received an overall rating of ‘Good’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.

Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “Bexley YJS has a strong and committed partnership board which is authentic in its prioritisation and care for children. Staff, volunteers and managers are passionate about improving outcomes for children, and the workforce is highly skilled, knowledgeable, and feel valued for their work.”

The report found staff and volunteers at Bexley YJS benefit from comprehensive induction, training and support that promotes the development of high-quality skills and knowledge, enabling practitioners to respond to the diverse and changing needs of children and their families. In addition, the Service’s strong partnership relationships support service delivery with a range of provisions and projects to meet the needs of children and families.

Inspectors were impressed with the desistance practice at Bexley YJS. Practitioners were able to understand a child’s trauma and how this influenced behaviour, motivation, and attitudes to offending. Practitioners were skilled at recognising diversity and individual needs, which contributed to their understanding of the child’s lived experience.

However, planning for children subject to court disposals is an area which requires improvement. Inspectors identified instances where planned interventions were not always responsive to the presenting risks, as well as limited planning to promote understanding the impact on victims and to keep victims safe. Bexley YJS Management Board needs to enhance its strategic commitment to a revision of the victim offer to ensure mechanisms are in place which hear and respond to victims’ needs.

Mr Jones added: “We saw many elements of ‘Outstanding’ practice at Bexley YJS – staff and leadership should be proud of the service they offer – and, with some tweaks, the service could improve even further.”

The report makes five recommendations, including that the Bexley Youth Justice Management Board should develop an overarching strategy to address and respond to disproportionality and diversity and the Metropolitan Police should work with the YJS to ensure all children are offered and supported to access appropriate interventions at the earliest opportunity.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. This service works with children aged 10 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 sentences (out-of-court disposals).
4. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 12 July 2024 at 00.01.
5. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.
6. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in April 2024.
7. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)