Date published: 2025-02-04 | Category: Children's Services
Bath & North East Somerset Council today welcomed the findings in a HM Inspectorate of Probation report into its Youth Justice Service which inspectors say is Good.
The detailed inspection report gave an outstanding rating to staff, implementation and delivery of court disposals, and planning for out of court disposals. All the other areas were rated as Good.
Inspectors said children open to the Youth Justice Service can expect to receive a strong offer of support. The service is led effectively by a knowledgeable and meticulous management team. There are appropriate resources in place.
They said staff are skilled and deliver evidence-based interventions. These arrangements are supported by a well-functioning and curious management board and an integrated partnership. Consequently, outcomes for children are positive.
Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “We welcome this report which highlights many good areas of practice within the service. The board, management and staff should be rightly proud of the outcome and I know they will strive to make more continuous improvements for the benefit and wellbeing of the vulnerable children they support.”
The service delivers interventions to a cohort of children who experience significant difficulties and display multiple complexities. For example, in the year April 2023 to March 2024, 47 per cent of children had an identified substance misuse need, 43 per cent had identified emotional and mental health needs, 76 per cent had identified learning needs and 53 per cent were open to children’s social care.
Inspectors said: “The number of children receiving post-court interventions is relatively low, but the practice we saw was strong and impactful. Assessing and planning activities were undertaken well. We saw good levels of analysis, supported by a genuinely collaborative approach that consistently amalgamated feedback from children and their parents or carers. This resulted in high-quality, bespoke interventions being delivered, which focused on children’s individual needs, whilst being appropriately balanced with a thorough consideration of victims and the need to keep the community safe.”
Inspectors set out recommendations which they said if implemented promptly, they had no doubt that service delivery will continue to flourish and that outcomes for children will go from strength to strength.
HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services in England and Wales. It reports on the effectiveness of probation and youth justice service work with adults and children.
To read the full report go to the HM Inspectorate of Probation website
ENDS