Derby City and Sutton's youth services were judged to be good by inspectors while Brighton and Hove, Kingston upon Hull and Tower Hamlets' youth services were rated as adequate. But services in Reading and Swindon were found to be inadequate, while Bedfordshire's youth service was branded unsatisfactory.
Labour's Pete Ruhemann, lead councillor for young people's services at Reading Borough Council, said staff short- ages that left a third of posts unfilled were a key reason for the rating. "The council has been aware that the service has been coasting along," he said. "There is a shortage of youth workers."
Swindon Youth Service said it had been working to turn the service around before the inspection through more staff training and getting young people involved in decision-making.
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