Decision details

To note the outcome and confirm response to the inspection.

Cabinet considered a report setting out the outcome of the recent inspection of the Youth Offending Service and an improvement plan based on their recommendations.

Councillor Godden, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families expressed some disappointment over the inspection report which whilst not bad was quite average. She felt that although the Inspection had been process driven and inward looking it had been useful. Whilst the Inspection had found some good practice it had identified a need to strengthen management oversight and to clarify roles and responsibilities. She did wonder whether there was an issue of lack of resources. She referred to evidence of good practice in Bucks. She was glad that an action plan had been in place even before the inspection but suggested that it should now be built around the recommendations of the Inspection. She looked forward to seeing more detail in the action plan going forward.

The Cabinet Member for Children Education & Families commented that the Inspection had been process driven and had not looked at the excellent outcomes achieved by the Service. It had looked at how the process had been handled and recorded on a piece of paper. It had not looked at re-offending rates which were amongst the lowest in the country. Improvements could always be made but the Youth Justice Board had found that a good service was being provided. The staff involved in the service needed to know that and she recorded her thanks for their efforts.

Jim Leivers added that in terms of resourcing the County compared well against the national average  being in the top 10%.

RESOLVED:            to note the findings of the Youth Offending Service Inspection.