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Bedfordshire Youth Justice Partnership rated ‘Requires improvement’ following inspection

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Bedfordshire Youth Justice Service (YJS) has received an overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’ following an inspection of work with children and victims by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.

Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “Staff at Bedfordshire YJS consistently demonstrated a strong determination to support victims and help children achieve their full potential, however inconsistencies in practice have resulted in an overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’.”

Direct work with victims was found to be a clear strength at Bedfordshire YJS, with tailored interventions to the individual needs and circumstances of the victim. However, strategic oversight of this area needed further strengthening with more robust monitoring and evaluation arrangements.

Work to keep the child and the community safe was found to need improvement, with inspectors finding inconsistent practice across assessing and delivery. Arrangements that were in place to promote safety were not applied reliably, and instances were found where the YJS did not sufficiently respond to changes in circumstances which could affect the child’s safety or the safety of others.

Mr Jones continued, “Improvements needed to be made at Bedfordshire YJS, but the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff will provide a solid foundation from which these changes can be implemented, and I wish them every success in their journey.”

The Inspectorate’s report makes four recommendations. Two recommendations are for Bedfordshire YJS, including to strengthen the quality of management oversight. The final two recommendations are for the Bedfordshire YJS partnership board, including to prioritise strengthening strategic oversight of work with victims to ensure consistent governance, scrutiny, and direction across the partnership.

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.
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’; ‘Good’; ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’; rating specific aspects of each service and giving an overall rating.
  5. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 19 May 2026.
  6. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.
  7. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in March 2026.
  8. For media enquiries; please contact Head of Communications: media@hmiprobation.gov.uk