Buckinghamshire Youth Offending Service (YOS) has received an overall rating of ‘Good’ following an inspection by HM Inspectorate of Probation.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “Buckinghamshire Youth Offending Service has struck a balance between protecting the local community from the risks associated with offending and supporting children to desist from further offending. The rating of ‘Good’ reflects their efforts to find meaningful ways to encourage each child, under their supervision, to embrace education and look forward to their future.”

This inspection identified that the leadership of Buckinghamshire YOS is strong, and that staff are skilled and motivated. The report notes that the management board is in touch with all aspects of the service’s work and is driving efforts to address the ethnic disproportionality of children being supervised.

Feedback from children themselves was positive, and it was clear that they are getting the support they need. This was evident in the service’s resettlement work – to find children appropriate accommodation after they are released from custody – which was separately rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The report makes seven recommendations to Buckinghamshire YOS, including that the service strengthen their work with children receiving out-of-court disposals (such as cautions or community resolutions) which this inspection found needed to focus on the safety and wellbeing of children and the management of risk of harm to others.

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 ‘Outstanding’.
4. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 10 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)