Peterborough's Youth Justice Service receives 'Good' rating for work with children and victims of crime
Peterborough Youth Justice Service (YJS) has received an overall rating of ‘Good’ following an inspection of work with children and victims by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.
Inspectors praised strong, child-centred practice, skilled practitioners and effective partnership working to support children, victims and the wider community.
The inspection, which looked at work with children and victims, awarded the council an overall score of 10 out of 12. The service was rated ‘Outstanding’ for assessing children’s needs and risks, ‘Good’ for planning, ‘Outstanding’ for delivery, and ‘Good’ for work with victims.
Peterborough City Council Youth Justice Service works with children and young people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system, supporting them to move away from offending, strengthen relationships, engage in education and positive activities, and build safer futures. It also works with victims, families, carers and partner agencies to reduce harm and support community safety.
The report recognises significant progress, describing the Youth Justice Service as child-centred and outcome-focused, with effective arrangements to support positive change and manage safety. Inspectors found children were supported by skilled practitioners with high aspirations, helping them recognise their potential.
Key strengths included well-informed, personalised and analytical assessments; strong partnership working with social care, schools, health, police and specialist services; and high-quality interventions tailored to children’s needs, communication styles and lived experiences.
Inspectors also highlighted specialist support, including psychology, speech and language therapy, education support, restorative justice and targeted interventions for children with complex needs. The report found practitioners built trusting relationships, adapted their work to help children engage, and supported improved confidence, wellbeing, education and relationships.
The inspection also recognised improvements in work with victims, following a service review. Inspectors noted that the victim policy had been revised, engagement had improved, and restorative justice approaches were helping to repair relationships and support safer communities
Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “Children at Peterborough YJS were supported by skilled practitioners who had high aspirations for them.
"There was a clear focus on helping children to recognise their potential, and staff actively worked with them to effectively support positive change.”
Inspectors were impressed with assessing activity at the service and found a detailed analysis of what was required to support positive change for the child alongside a comprehensive understanding of what was needed to keep children and the community safe.
The views of children, parents, and carers were clearly reflected, reporting they felt listened to and that their concerns were taken seriously.
Work with victims had been developed following a review by the service and its revised victim policy had improved quality engagement with victims and the support they received. Areas for improvement were identified and well understood and supported by a targeted and realistic action plan.
Mr Jones continued, “Overall, this was a well-led service, with a shared understanding across the partnership of Peterborough’s child-first approach. I am also encouraged by the service’s understanding of where work needs to be prioritised with work with victims. Peterborough YJS have a solid foundation in place from which they can improve even further.”
The Inspectorate’s report makes three recommendations.
Two are for the Peterborough YJS management board, including to proactively drive its disproportionality action plan and assure themselves that progress is being made to reduce the number of children from the global majority being disproportionately made subject to YJS outcomes.
One recommendation is for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, to improve the quality of information shared with the YJS regarding the individual needs and protected characteristics of victims.
Cllr Katy Cole, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Peterborough City Council, said: “This positive inspection outcome is a testament to the dedication, skill and compassion of our Youth Justice Service and the partners who work alongside them every day.
“The team works with children at some of the most difficult and complex points in their lives. Their work is about understanding each child’s experiences, building trust, supporting families, protecting victims and communities, and helping children make positive changes.
"I would also like to thank the dedicated volunteers who give up their time as community panel members for the Youth Justice Service. They play a key role by supporting children and young people who have received Referral Orders in court, helping to oversee their rehabilitation.
“We are pleased inspectors have recognised the strength of this work, including the outstanding quality of assessment and delivery. We also recognise where further improvement is needed and are committed to working with partners to address this and keep improving outcomes for children, victims and residents.”