Inspection of Youth Offending work in Southwark

The latest inspection report of Youth Offending work in England and Wales was published today.

Julie Fox, Chief Inspector, said:

‘This Core Case Inspection of youth offending work in Southwark took place as part of the Inspection of Youth Offending programme. We have examined a representative sample of youth offending cases from the area, and have judged how often the Public Protection and the Safeguarding aspects of the work were done to a sufficiently high level of quality.

We judged that the Safeguarding aspects of the work were done well enough 66% of the time. With the Public Protection aspects, work to keep to a minimum each individual’s Risk of Harm to others was done well enough 64% of the time, and the work to make each individual less likely to reoffend was done well enough 69% of the time. A more detailed analysis of our findings is provided in the main body of this report, and summarised in a table in Appendix 1. These figures can be viewed in the context of our findings from Wales and the regions of England inspected so far – see the Table below.

‘The YOS undertook its work in a demanding environment. Many of the service users had complex diversity needs and a high proportion of the cases we inspected showed a worrying degree of violence. The YOS was working with many children and young people who presented as both potential perpetrators and victims of violence. We found a committed team of YOS staff and managers.

‘They engaged well with many ‘hard to reach’ children and young people and were delivering the sentences of the courts to good effect. However, there were aspects of their practice, particularly in relation to some Risk of Harm and Safeguarding issues that needed attention. Whilst the YOS had achieved some good results there were many children and young people who had not complied with their supervision.

‘Overall, we consider this to be an encouraging set of findings. We anticipate that the recommendations in this report will be implemented and will contribute to further improvements in the services delivered by the YOS.’

Scores from Wales and the English regions that have been inspected to date Scores for Southwark
Lowest Highest Average
‘Safeguarding’ work (action to protect the young person) 37% 91% 68% 66%
‘Risk of Harm to others’ work (action to protect the public) 36% 85% 63% 64%
‘Likelihood of Reoffending’ work (individual less likely to reoffend) 43% 87% 71% 69%

Download this press release (PDF, 277 kB) (PDF 0.30mb)

Notes to editors

  1. The report is available at www.justice.gov.uk/about/hmi-probation/.
  2. This Inspection of Youth Offending (IYO) programme started in April 2009. Youth Offending work in all 158 areas of England & Wales will be inspected over the course of a three-year cycle.
  3. Julie Fox can be contacted on julie.fox@hmiprobation.gsi.gov.uk (E-mail address) and 07973 264412.