CYP Now - Youth offending services improve as Covid increases complexity of children’s needs

Standards of support are improving at youth offending services, however their caseloads are becoming more complex and challenging due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to chief inspector of probation Justin Russell.

Justin Russell says the lack of consideration around diversity in probation and youth offending services is disappointing. Picture: HMI Probation

His annual report for 2021 found that two thirds of services are rated as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, with none handed the inspectorate’s lowest rating of ‘inadequate’.

A drop in caseloads, by more than a quarter has helped improve support.

However, the pandemic has increased the complexity of needs among this smaller cohort of young offenders as well as the challenges faced by services in delivering support.

“Caseloads may be falling, but the needs of children in the criminal justice system certainly are not and have become more acute as a result of Covid-19,” said Russell.

The pandemic had restricted services’ ability to support the education and training needs of young offenders, due to a lack of entry level jobs and closures in sectors including hospitality, he warned.

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