The multi agency team works with children and young people aged 10 to 18 who are involved in the criminal justice system, from early stages of intervention to custodial sentences, carefully balancing their wellbeing with the need to manage risk to the wider community.
The team also prepare reports that are used by the courts to help in sentencing and work with the victims of crime to facilitate the process of mediation and, where possible, repair any harm caused.
Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This inspection is an excellent opportunity for the Youth Offending Team to showcase the hard work they do, day in and day out, to stop young people who have become involved in crime from reoffending, to rehabilitate them, and to safeguard members of the public."
The inspection team is currently gathering a range of information about the work of the YOT, ahead of fieldwork beginning on Monday 25 October when they will meet with senior leaders, managers and other staff to help form judgements about the quality and effectiveness of organisational delivery.
Following the end of the inspection, the YOT will be given an overall rating, either Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate.
The YOT inspection comes only a few weeks after the inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission of services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in the city, the outcome of which will be published later this month.
HM Inspectorate of Probation is responsible for inspecting the quality of work carried out by youth offending services. It has worked with the Ministry of Justice, the Youth Justice Board and others to develop inspection standards based on ‘what good looks like’. Its aim is to encourage good quality services, which make a difference to the lives of children, reduce reoffending and protect the public.
