Further improvements have been seen at a youth justice service that was considered 'inadequate' by a scathing report. A report published in 2020 of Cardiff Youth Justice Service (YJS), which works with children aged 10 to 18, deemed it to be inadequate.
However, a new report, published today following a reinspection of the service in March and April, has upgraded it to "requires improvement". Among the improvements in the report, by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP), are a reduction in those coming into the justice system, a reduction in reoffending by children and a reduction in the use of prison sentences.
Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said Cardiff YJS is making "significant progress" and is making "considerable efforts" to address the issues. “It is now better equipped, in key areas, to deal with the needs of children under their supervision, improve their lives, and protect the local community," said Mr Russell.
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“While a rating of ‘Requires Improvement’ means it still has some way to go, Cardiff YJS is showing signs that it can, and will, continue to develop.” After the critical report it received in 2020, the YJS - made up of a partnership of South Wales Police, the National Probation Service, the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Cardiff Council - published a two-year plan to transform itself.
All Our Futures made four pledges designed to improve the way the service tackles the risks which some children face, including being targeted for criminal exploitation. The four pledges are:
- Make sure leadership and management are focused and effective
- Make better use of shared data and analysis to support children and assess services
- Make sure staff across services can work together effectively
- Improve the offer to children and families to make sure services ‘achieve our goals’
The new report, which includes a number of recommendations, like encouraging the YJS to focus attention on improving the quality of court disposal casework, will now inform a revised strategy for youth justice services in Cardiff. This will be launched in September and will draw on the views of children, staff, partners and councillors.
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