The Inspectorate’s report sets out nine recommendations on how to improve Neath Port Talbot Youth Justice Service
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)
Neath Port Talbot Youth Justice Service (YJS) has received an overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’ following an inspection of youth justice work with children and victims by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.
Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “We found a culture of reflection and transparency at Neath Port Talbot YJS, and practitioners and leaders were both passionate and committed to achieving positive outcomes. However, we found inconsistencies in the practice and oversight of casework to promote the safety of the child and the community.”
Inspectors discovered that assessments lacked consistent analytical depth and sufficient scrutiny, and on occasion crucial information provided by children and their parents or carers was not verified with relevant services, resulting in an over-reliance on self-disclosure. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
In a number of cases, these shortcomings in assessment had undermined the effectiveness of planning and delivery. Management oversight failed to deliver the consistent impact required and did not adequately address the variability in practice.
Work with victims was highlighted as requiring further development, as the organisational arrangements surrounding victim support were being led by YJS managers, with insufficient input from the YJS management board.
The inspection also found that the recording and oversight of victim work needed strengthening, with case records failing to accurately reflect the quality of practice, and oversight activity not being sufficiently documented.
At the time the inspection was announced, none of the youngsters receiving support from the YJS were attending full-time mainstream education.
The YJS acknowledged the vital role that schooling plays in facilitating positive transformation and safeguarding both the child and the wider community.
It undertook considerable measures to support reintegration, championed the interests of children and their families or carers, and raised concerns with the local authority.
Nevertheless, significant work remained necessary at both management board and senior strategic levels to guarantee that YJS youngsters could access their statutory educational provision.
Mr Jones continued: “Moving forward, the management board and strategic partners have a crucial role in prioritising the development of Neath Port Talbot YJS, ensuring leadership have sufficient capacity to carry out their duties to a consistently high standard.
“They also need to ensure children’s access to education is given significant priority.”
The Inspectorate’s report sets out nine recommendations. Two are directed at Neath Port Talbot YJS, including improving assessment and planning to ensure consistently high-quality work that safeguards children and communities.
Six recommendations are for the youth justice management board, including prioritising the development of its workstreams to ensure that the board, rather than the YJS, is leading key areas of partnership working.
One recommendation is for the Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot to spearhead a collaborative, cross-partnership approach to enable YJS children to access their statutory educational entitlement.
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