Blackburn with Darwen 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: “We were impressed by Blackburn with Darwen Youth Justice Service. Their ‘Good’ rating reflects a passionate and skilled workforce who clearly care for children under their supervision. They are determined to deter every child from further offending alongside protecting the local community from crime.”

The inspection reported that Blackburn with Darwen YJS puts an emphasis on seeking the views of children, their parents, or carers, and also the victims of crime and use this information to help shape their services and adapt these to each child’s needs.

Our inspectors were impressed with the efforts being made to stop children from entering the criminal justice system, and to provide with them high-quality health services. In addition, youth justice workers have a strong understanding of how trauma and life experiences can affect their behaviour.

The report makes seven recommendations to Blackburn with Darwen YJS, including addressing their speech and language services which were highlighted as needing improvements to complement their impressive health and substance misuse facilities.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. This YOS 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). Resettlement work was separately rated as ‘Good’.
4. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 17 January 2023 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 October 2022.
7. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Diane Bramall media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)