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“Skilled and committed” South Gloucestershire Youth Justice Service rated ‘Good’ following inspection

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South Gloucestershire 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 passionate, effective leaders at South Gloucestershire were supported by skilled and committed staff who were tenacious in building and maintaining strong relationships with children, parents, and carers. The delivery of activities and interventions to achieve positive change was strong, and the support children received in terms of their education was particularly impressive.”

Assessing practice for work with children was supported by a collaborative approach with children, families, and partner agencies, which contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the children’s strengths, needs, and safety. Greater consistency was required in the quality of planning practice, particularly in terms of keeping children and the community safe. Identifying and responding to children’s neurodiversity needs was a particular strength, but diversity practice in relation to children’s ethnicity, culture and identity needed improvement.

Strategic and operational work with victims required development. At the time of inspection, there was no identified strategic lead on the partnership board to promote and drive improvements in victim work, and greater oversight from the board was required to ensure the YJS was resourced sufficiently to enable the high-quality, personalised services victims need.

Inspectors found a meaningful approach to participation with children and families, and children’s voices were considered and used to inform service delivery in the YJS and wider partnership.

Mr Jones continued, “Overall, the team at South Gloucestershire should be proud of the work they are doing. With some renewed focus from the partnership board to improve work with victims, I have no doubt this service can excel.”

The Inspectorate’s report makes nine recommendations. Three are for the South Gloucestershire Youth Justice Partnership Board, including to proactively drive improvement work with victims, including holding relevant partners to account. Five recommendations are for South Gloucestershire YJS, including to improve the quality of planning practice so it consistently identifies how to keep the child and community safe. Two recommendations are for Avon and Somerset Police.

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.
  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 25 November 2025.
  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 September 2025.
  8. For media enquiries; please contact Head of Communications: media@hmiprobation.gov.uk