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“Sensitive and victim-centred” Plymouth Youth Justice Service, rated ‘Good’ following inspection 

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Plymouth 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: “Plymouth YJS have taken the time to truly understand the children they work with and are delivering strong operational activity with victims.” 

Assessing and planning to achieve positive change were both consistently strong, with practitioners planning goals and objectives which reflected and child-centred approach to their work. Assessing and planning was co-produced with children and their families and detail about their wishes, feelings, and reflections were captured. However, where children were assessed as displaying less complexity of need, we identified some underestimation of the factors contributing to risk and safety. 

Support and interventions to achieve positive change were largely delivered as planned. However, children’s engagement in voluntary, consent-based interventions was inconsistent and this was an area which requires renewed focus.   

Work with victims was well-resourced, with one dedicated victim worker and up to three staff supporting victims. The victim’s voice was present at decision-making and planning forums and links with local strategic forums were supporting wider oversight of the regional landscape of victim work activity. Greater scrutiny of strategic data and arrangements will help develop the offer further. 

Mr Jones continued, “Plymouth YJS have excellent foundations on which they can develop even further, and I trust our recommendations will help the service flourish.” 

The Inspectorate’s report makes four recommendations. Two are for Plymouth YJS, including to ensure assessing, planning and delivery of work with children is of a consistently high quality and focuses on how to keep the child and community safe. Two recommendations are for Plymouth Youth Justice Management Board, including to develop a suite of local performance indicators and data sets that enhances understanding of victims’ consent, engagement, need and protected characteristics. 

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. 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 31 March 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 January 2026. 
  1. For media enquiries; please contact Head of Communications: media@hmiprobation.gov.uk