We are really pleased to share that Sandwell Youth Justice Service (YJS) has been rated “Good” following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.
The inspectors said that staff at Sandwell YJS are creative, caring and ambitious, helping children and young people make positive changes in their lives. They were particularly impressed by how the service listens to the views of children, young people, parents and carers and uses their ideas to improve services.
Inspectors found that:
- Staff work well with other organisations, such as schools, social care, health services and the police, to help keep children and communities safe.
- Children’s strengths, talents and opportunities are recognised and used to help them succeed.
- The service has strong leaders who support staff and respond to the challenges facing young people, including concerns about violence and exploitation.
- Support for victims was highlighted as a real strength, with staff showing kindness, care and commitment.
The inspectors also said there are some areas where the service can improve. They found that information about children’s lives could be brought together more effectively to give a fuller picture of what support they need. They also recommended strengthening management oversight to make sure practice is consistently high quality.
The report includes five recommendations to help the service continue to improve. These include making sure the Youth Justice Service has the staff and resources it needs and responding to increasing demand for support.
What does this mean for children and young people?
It means that inspectors recognised that Sandwell YJS is doing many things well and is helping young people make positive changes, stay safe and build better futures. The service will continue to listen to young people, learn from feedback and work on the areas identified for improvement.
We are proud of this result and remain committed to helping every child achieve their potential.
If you would like to read the full report click the link below: