Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Education introduced a report providing an update on the progress of the Youth Offending Service (YOS) Improvement Plan and the work being undertaken by the Youth Offending Team.

The report was the third update to be presented to the Committee since the development of the YOS Improvement Plan.  The updated plan demonstrated that work had progressed on all planned actions and that the service continued to work hard to introduce further improvements identified in the plan.

As a result of the weekly data cleaning exercise more accurate performance data was being produced.  Management performance reports had been reviewed and improved and included monitoring against national standards, the measurements which would be used by HMIP when they re-inspected the service.  The service structure was also being reviewed by the Interim Head of the YOS to reflect the changes that had been introduced following implementation of the Improvement Plan.  Where possible, efficiency savings would be identified in order to respond to the reductions in the YJB grant and LBB planned revenue savings.  The YOS Management Board had agreed that that the NACRO ISS service contract would not be renewed for the next financial year with provision being brought in-house to contribute towards the required savings.

The YOS Management Team were also due to commence work on the Performance Management Framework which would complement the Workforce Development Plan.  Work had also been ongoing around quality, assessment and planning with the Management Team embarking on a monthly audit programme of casework.  All case workers would be attending the Signs of Safety training and all YOS Managers would be attending refresher Quality Assurance training.  In addition to this, monthly team meetings were being utilised to provide additional staff training.

In considering the report, the Chairman expressed concern at the apparent delay in improvements in the Service.  In response the Interim Head of the YOS reported that the audits that had been conducted in December (and would be reported to the next Education PDS meeting) showed much more progress.  The Service had started from a very low based and had made significant and sustainable progress.  A mock inspection would be carried out by the Youth Justice Board from 21 March 2016 to 23 March 2016 and this would give a much clearer indication of the progress that had been made.

In response to a question concerning the benefit of the monthly coffee morning offered for parents and carers, the Deputy Head of the YOS reported that at the last session there had been three attendees but that Officers hoped that they would become better attended as time progressed.  Parents and carers were a particularly difficult group to engage and a lot of time was being invested in engaging with this group with the Parenting Worker also making home visits.

The Committee considered the importance of training and support for staff.  The Interim Head of the YOS highlighted that there was more robust supervision of staff and this also incorporated continued learning and development.  The Committee were informed that there were around 20 permanent members of staff and 5 locum staff.  The Interim Head of Service was looking to fill the positions held by locum staff as soon as possible in order to promote stability within the Service.

In considering the proposal to have a representative from the YOS on Bromley Youth Council, the Interim Head of the YOS reported that there were 2 or 3 young people currently receiving support from the YOS that were capable of fulfilling the challenging role to a high standard.

The Portfolio Holder reported that the YOS remained a high priority for the Council and stressed the importance of sustainable improvement.  Progress was now being measured effectively and the Council was working closely with the Youth Justice Board to identify a clear direction of travel. 

In response to a question, the Interim Head of the YOS reported that the proposed restructure of the Service would address savings that needed to be found as a result of reductions in the grant that was received.  Members of the Committee were also invited to visit the YOS to see the work that was being undertaken and the improvements that had been made.

RESOLVED: That the progress of the Youth Offending Service Improvement Plan be noted.