Inspectors praise Brighton & Hove’s ‘Outstanding’ youth offending service
An inspection of Brighton & Hove’s youth offending service (YOS) has been rated outstanding by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation.
The Inspection which took place in April 2021 looked at 12 aspects of the YOS’s work and awarded ‘Outstanding’ ratings in every category – a rare achievement.
The council’s youth offending team works with children aged 10 to 17 who are serving court sentences or who have come to the attention of the police because of their offending behaviour but have not been charged – instead, they are supervised out of court.
Challenges for the service
Compared with all other cities in the UK, Brighton & Hove has the highest number of children living in households where domestic abuse, mental ill-health or substance misuse are present (191.5 per 1,000, compared with 182.1 nationally). These indicators are often linked to youth offending.
A large proportion of serious and violent crime is linked to the drug trade and county lines activity and the associated exploitation issues are one of the biggest challenges for services working with vulnerable children in the city.
The council’s service collaborates with agencies to provide plans for each child in the criminal justice system. Inspectors found that children subject to court sentences are well-supported and for those subject to cautions or community sentences there is an extensive range of support on offer, while there is a focus on balancing a child’s welfare and the needs of victims.
Reduction in re-offending rates
Historically, re-offending rates have been high in Brighton & Hove, attributed to a small but complex cohort of children. However, the most recent data shows an overall reduction in these rates since 2017, with a frequency of re-offending now below the national average.
The report identified that the way the service is led and resourced enables a cohesive and integrated approach to working positively with children. It also highlighted the team’s full range of skills, knowledge and experience in developing trusting and supportive relationships with children and families.
Benchmark for youth offending services
HM Inspectorate of Probation’s Director of Operations Marc Baker said: “The overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ is deserved and is the benchmark of what youth offending services can achieve. The service is led in such a positive way that it impacts every aspect of their work, from resourcing, to organisation, to their contact with each child under their supervision.”
Mr Baker concluded: “Each child is treated as an individual at Brighton and Hove YOS – this is vital in helping children move away from offending. Victims are equally supported and there is strong emphasis on their role within rehabilitation. Youth justice staff understand how to manage children with complex needs, and tailor their skills accordingly – a desirable balance, promoting high-quality casework practice.”
A fantastic achievement for the team
Chair of the council’s Children, young people & skills committee, Hannah Clare, says: The ‘Outstanding’ rating is a huge credit to the Youth Offending Team and their work with children, young people and their families to reduce and prevent youth crime. They received the highest score possible – something which doesn’t happen often and something that we can be incredibly proud of.
“This is such an important service for our city and for the outcomes of young people who need robust support when things go wrong.
“It’s a real testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff who work day-to-day in this service and demonstrates their will to make a positive difference. We’re hugely proud and thankful to them all.”
Read the inspection report of youth offending services in Brighton & Hove