Encouraging report from inspectors
Date published: 13 October 2009
OLDHAM’S Youth Offending Service (YOS) requires moderate improvement, according to inspectors.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation looked at a sample of youth offending cases in Oldham, as well as interviewing staff and victims of crime.
Assistant chief inspector Alan MacDonald said: “Overall we consider this an encouraging set of findings. We found the management and staff committed to their work and keen to address the recommendations of this report.”
In the three main areas, the report found:
Safeguarding aspects of all YOS work are done well 67 per cent of the time.
Risk of Harm to others is done well 60 per cent of the time.
Work on reoffending is done well 62 per cent of the time.
Other highlights of the report showed:
In 94 per cent of cases the YOS assessed the vulnerability of the young person in question.
All necessary and immediate action was taken to safeguard children and young people serving custodial sentences in 91 per cent of cases.
Staff have supported and promoted the wellbeing of 89 per cent of young people that had served custodial sentences.
Staff paid full attention to reintegration issues of young people being released from custody in 90 per cent of cases.
Areas for improvement include involving the families of offenders, working more closely with partner agencies for riskier offenders, and acting more swiftly with young people who do not comply with their court orders.
Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “Our staff work with some of the most vulnerable and challenging youngsters in our borough, working to prevent re-offending and protect the public.
“It’s a difficult job, and it’s a real tribute to the staff and young people involved that inspectors felt moved to acknowledge their commitment and initiative.”
Steph Bolshaw, director of Oldham Youth Offending Service, said: “A series of changes have been implemented. We have recruited staff to specifically work towards the improvement plan set out in the report.”
