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

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “Swindon Youth Justice Service is a credit to the town, and their ‘Outstanding’ rating is much deserved. Children under their supervision are likely to thrive and this means the local community is better protected against the chances of them committing a further offence. They are a forward-thinking, team-oriented service that clearly takes great pride in their successes to deter children from crime and give them every opportunity to flourish.”

Inspectors were particularly impressed with the innovative ways in which Swindon YJS works, not least their ability to empower children under their supervision by way of including them in decision making. By getting feedback from children and their parents or carers, the service can work out what works best, and tailor what each child needs. This is in an effort to reduce the likelihood of reoffending and protect the public, and it is working.

The report also notes that the service works exceptionally well with its partners. In practice, this means that children aren’t inhibited by the structural barriers between separate services, such as children’s social care, to get the help they need, and all partners are passionate about maintaining this successful line of communication.

The report makes five recommendations to Swindon 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.

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 24 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)