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“Some inconsistencies” found at Trafford Youth Justice Service

Published:

“Some inconsistencies” found at Trafford Youth Justice Service

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

Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “Senior leaders, managers, and staff were passionate and committed to securing positive change for children. Despite the positive casework to achieve this, we unfortunately found some inconsistencies in the assessing, planning and delivery of work to keep children and their communities safe.”

Inspectors found assessing activity to be collaborative and detailed, and several examples were found of considered engagement with children’s parents or carers which enhanced assessment activity. Assessment of children’s diversity needs was also praised in the report, with practitioners showing “genuine care” in their approaches to understanding a child’s lived experience.

Work with victims was found to be an ongoing area of focus for Trafford YJS. Victims were offered a range of services to support their needs, but victim safety processes required development. Inspectors found information shared by police contained limited information regarding a victim’s diversity needs. This impacted the Service’s ability to tailor initial contact to meet individual needs of victims.

Mr Jones continued: “We recognise that this inspection came at a time of transition for Trafford YJS, with changes in their leadership team and a proposed service redesign. Positively, the Service recognise that additional capacity is required, and, with some stability, I am confident Trafford YJS can flourish.”

The Inspectorate’s report makes seven recommendations. Five recommendations are for Trafford YJS, including to improve assessing, planning, and delivery practices to ensure consistent and high-quality operational activity. Two recommendations are for the management board, including to ensure the YJS is sufficiently resourced.  

ENDS 

Notes to editor 

  1. Inspections of youth justice work with children and victims (IYJWCV) is one of two separate types of youth justice inspection undertaken by the Inspectorate.
  2. 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.
  3. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’, rating specific aspects of each service and giving an overall rating.
  4. The inspection looked at standards of organisational delivery (leadership, staffing and facilities), their management of children serving court sentences (court disposals) and children serving cautions or community sentences (out-of-court disposals).
  5. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 10 June 2025 at 00.01.
  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 2025.
  8. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications: media@hmiprobation.gov.uk