Issue - meetings

Report ECHS19064

The Committee considered an update on the work and strategic priorities of the Youth Offending Service including progress achieved in reducing offending.  The report also provided highlights of the planned work for the year ahead. 

The Youth Offending Service (YOS) was a statutory service created under the auspice of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.  The service worked with young people aged 10-17 years old and provided assessments, intervention and support to children and young people who committed offences as well as support to their families and victims of crime.  Members noted that the YOS Governance Board had been strengthened and included a range of partners.  A new inspection framework was in place and as a result of this when the Service received the inspection that it was due it would be difficult to compare the outcome with the previous inspection.

In response to a question, the Head of the Youth Offending Service reported that parenting assessments were undertaken for all young people who entered the Service.  The aim was to get parents to work with the Service voluntarily rather than going down the route of parenting orders.  A lot of good work was delivered in relation to supporting parents and families and the impact of this work could be analysed.

Members expressed concern that the report lacked information regarding the performance of the Service in relation to the Inspection Framework. 

The Committee noted that a series of Practice Assurance Stocktakes (PAS) would be undertaken across the Service in readiness for the impending inspection.  The PAS would be based on the new inspection methodology.  It was agreed that the outcome of the PAS would be presented to the Committee when available.

ACTION: That the Committee be presented with Practice Assurance Stocktakes for the YOS to enable Members to clearly assess performance and have visibility that the service is performing well against the inspection framework.

The Chairman also raised concerns that relationships with local businesses could be further improved.  This was an area that the Committee would review further at a future meeting.  The Director of Children’s Social Care reported that work to strengthen the Youth Employment Service was ongoing.

ACTION: That the Committee further review the relationships that exist with local businesses and be provided with an update on the ongoing work to strengthen the Youth Employment Service.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted