Inspectors praise youth offending team

Following a visit last month, the Inspectorate of Probation said case managers at North Lincolnshire YOT were "skilled, experienced and highly dedicated" to safeguarding and welfare, and work effectively with partner agencies.

Inspectors said the YOT had a "good focus" on victim safety and use of restorative justice, and said a key strength was strong partnership arrangements with children's social care.

The report also noted that multi-agency public protection arrangements were robust and educational pathways were positively promoted.

Inspectors listed other key strengths as actively involved managers, a range of agency support for children and young people, and compliance panels effectively improving engagement.

"Overall, we found that the welfare and safety of children and young people was the core principle underpinning practice at North Lincolnshire YOT," the report said.

"Case managers were motivated, committed and enthusiastic. Detailed assessments, including learning styles, speech and language screenings and health screenings, were carried out on all cases.

"Staff worked hard to support children and young people to respond to crisis and instability in their lives."

However, the YOT was told some areas of work require improvement.

Inspectors said there was insufficient detail in intervention plans outlining work being carried out to address reoffending.

Meanwhile, although the YOT had substantially lowered its reoffending rates, work directly focusing on offending behaviour was found to often be delayed or not completed.