Sruffy. Small. Untidy. Just some of the words used by young inspectors to describe the building occupied by Salford's youth offending service.
A team of young people toured the premises and quizzed young clients, staff and managers as part of a rigorous assessment. They were impressed with many aspects of the service, but concluded the building let it down. "I tried to inspect it but couldn't get in," says wheelchair-user Jenny Scott, 22.
Fellow inspector Robert Ward, 21, adds: "The access was rubbish - it should have a ramp and they need a better building. It was a bit scruffy."
Services of all kinds can expect this kind of feedback as part of the Youth4U - Young Inspectors programme, which is establishing 36 schemes across England. Backed by £4.5m from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, it is run by the Look Listen Change consortium and hosted by the National Children's Bureau (NCB).
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