Inspectors claim Young offenders services inadequate

Work with young offenders in Stoke-on-Trent has been branded 'inadequate' by inspectors.

Stoke-on-Trent Youth Justice and Support Service (YJSS) has 'significant shortfalls' across all its work with children, according to His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP).

Inspectors say that while Stoke-on-Trent YJSS – a statutory multi-agency partnership – has the components needed for a high quality youth justice service, including a well-resourced multi-disciplinary team, strong partnership working, and skilled staff, this is 'not currently translating into sufficient youth justice practice'.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council says it is now taking 'closer strategic and operational oversight' of the service, and work is already underway to address the issues raised by the inspection.