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“Aspirational for its children” Barking & Dagenham Youth Justice Service, rated ‘Good’ following inspection 

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Barking & Dagenham 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. 

Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “The practitioners at Barking & Dagenham YJS were skilled and motivated and have worked hard to improve its work with children since our last inspection in 2018 [see notes to editor]. The strong focus on education, training, and employment has resulted in a service that is aspirational for its children.” 

Assessing, planning, and delivery was carried out in collaboration with children, families, and partners; and inspectors found the YJS to have a comprehensive understanding of the strengths, needs, and safety of the child. While assessing work for safety of the child would have benefited from greater professional curiosity and analysis, this did not compromise subsequent planning and delivery.  

The report highlights a need for significant development in work with victims at Barking and Dagenham YJS. The management board should be more active in setting and overseeing the strategic direction and improvement of victim work. This required the development of comprehensive and analysed data and performance information,  so the management board could be assured all victims were prioritised and had access to the services they needed.  

Mr Jones continued, “While some improvements are still required, the team at Barking & Dagenham have done well to bring the service to where it is today and I wish them every success for the future.” 

The Inspectorate’s report makes nine recommendations. Two are for the YJS management board, including to develop a comprehensive, analytical data set to inform and shape the direction and delivery of victim work. Six recommendations are for the service, including to analyse initial contacts with and services to victims to ensure their consent is gained. One recommendation is for the Metropolitan Police, to improve the information it provides the YJS about victims’ individual needs and protected characteristics.  

ENDS  

Notes to editor  

  1. Inspections of work with children and victims is one of two separate types of youth justice inspection undertaken by the Inspectorate.  
  1. Barking & Dagenham YJS was last inspected in 2018 where it received a rating of ‘Requires improvement’. 
  1. In this inspection we have inspected and rated work against our standards in domain two, and the victims’ standard. For more information, visit our website: Youth Justice Services – HM Inspectorate of Probation 
  1. This service works with children aged 10 to 17. The YJS supervise children with complex needs and some in the care of the local authority. 
  1. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’; ‘Good’; ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’; rating specific aspects of each service and giving an overall rating. 
  1. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 10 February 2026. 
  1. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.  
  1. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in November 2025. 
  1. For media enquiries; please contact Head of Communications: media@hmiprobation.gov.uk