HM Inspectorate of Probation labelled improvements to the management structure and support for young offenders as “impressive” in its latest inspection.
The service scored above average in all three main inspection categories. Safeguarding work is now carried out well 75 per cent of the time, against an England and Wales average of 68 per cent, the report said.
Meanwhile, efforts to protect the community are carried out well 71 per cent of the time, nine per cent above the England and Wales average, and work to curb reoffending is carried out well 75 per cent of the time, four per cent above average.
The report follows two highly critical inspections of the service over the past two years. A report in 2011 was particularly scathing about the continued lack of a permanent management team.
At the time, safeguarding work was only satisfactory 36 per cent of the time and work to make individuals less likely to reoffend was acceptable in 45 per cent of cases.
Liz Calderbank, chief inspector of probation, said: “Overall, we consider this an impressive set of findings. The original core case inspection took place in 2010 and revealed a disappointing set of results.
“At the time of the first re-inspection, carried out in February 2011, there was still no permanent management team in place and the youth offending service manager had only been in post for seven months. Staff and managers were working hard to improve the service and we detected some positive changes but the findings were again disappointing.”
She added that she was impressed with a “culture of continuous development” at the service. The service's focus on encouraging reflective discussion of cases by staff was also singled out for praise.
Nicola Greene, Bournemouth Borough Council’s cabinet member for children’s and education services said: “The vast improvements that have been made are testament to the commitment and dedication of the youth offending team and I am confident that we can continue to make further developments to ensure we can provide the best help possible for those young people that need this service."
Ensuring children and young people are not placed in bed and breakfast accommodation, and fostering stronger links with social workers are among the areas highlighted for further improvements.
