HM Inspectorate of Probation has rated the youth offending team (YOT) in Darlington as ‘Outstanding’ overall, following a recent inspection.

Darlington YOT works with children aged 10 to 17 who are serving court sentences (court disposals) or who have received cautions or community resolutions (out-of-court disposals). The majority of children under their supervision are aged 15 to 17 (83 per cent), male (88 per cent) and white (100 per cent).

The YOT was assessed in October 2020 for its organisational delivery, and how it supervises and works with children who have received court and out-of-court disposals. The team received high ratings for their work in all of these key areas.

HM Inspectorate of Probation Director of Operations, Marc Baker: “The foundation of Darlington youth offending team is that they are well-led and well-managed – having a sound work ethic and clear strategy has to be place in order to successfully supervise children and reduce the risk of reoffending. Darlington YOT takes a practical and logical approach; internal communication is good, support for staff is established and they are forward-thinking.”

What does this mean for the individual children who are being supervised by Darlington YOT? Mr Baker explains that these attributes lend themselves to making an ‘Outstanding’ service for each child, no matter what challenges they face: “Darlington YOT is an optimistic team; they focus on successful outcomes and work hard to establish solid working relationships with both children and their parents.”

The Inspectorate commended Darlington YOT for its work with children subject to court sentences (court disposals); their work in assessing each child, planning their supervision, implementing and delivering support and joint-working with other services were each rated ‘Outstanding’.

Mr Baker concluded: “Children serving court sentences will account for more serious offences, and the obvious challenges this can bring means plans for YOT support have to be tailored and achievable. Darlington YOT is doing just that; they are actively encouraging children and their parents to be involved in how they are assessed and take a personalised approach. The service sets a real benchmark for what can be achieved.”

HM Inspectorate of Probation provides each youth offending team, no matter their overall rating, with recommendations inspectors identified following an inspection:

The Darlington Youth Offending Service should:

1. implement rigorous management oversight of cases to assure the provision of high-quality services to the children it supervises
2. address the need to increase the evaluation of outcomes, particularly within the agreement with Durham University.

Due to Covid-19, the Inspectorate had to carry out this inspection remotely; analysing case files off-site and conducting video conferences.

Ends

Notes to editor

1. The report is available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 04 February 2021.
2. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
3. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’. The Inspectorate rates specific aspects of each service and also gives an overall rating.
4. For media enquiries, please contact Corporate Communications Manager Diane Bramall 07929 790 564 or media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)

A Management Board oversees the work of the service. Board members are drawn from the local authority, police, probation service, education and health services.