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

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “There are many positives to take from this inspection, not least Devon YJS’s success in helping children under their supervision move away from opportunities to reoffend. Such efforts take determination, resilience and a genuine ambition to better children’s lives and protect the local community from the damaging impact of repeat offending. I look forward to seeing them progress even further in the future.”

Inspectors praised the staff and volunteers at Devon YJS, calling them a ‘significant asset’. The report describes a kind and caring workforce, who are ambassadors for the children they supervise, and acknowledges their determination to further improve the services they offer.

Of note is the YJS’s work with children who have served court sentences (court disposals), which was separately rated as ‘Outstanding’. Elsewhere, the inspection found that the service had excellent health and mental health provisions for children, which were making a ‘real difference’ to their lives.

The inspection did find areas for improvement for Devon YJS, not least that the management board should improve its communication with staff at the service. Some youth justice workers told us they feel ‘undervalued’, due to the lack of understanding by the board as to the challenges they face and their desire to develop the service.

The report makes six recommendations to Devon YJS, including that they ensure robust contingency plans are in place for all children that address their safety and wellbeing, and risk of harm to others, with a view to ensuring the service builds upon the positive foundations already in place.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. This YJS 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 sentences (out-of-court disposals). It also rated the quality of resettlement work as ‘Good’.
4. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 22 November 2022 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 September 2022.

For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Diane Bramall media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)