Youth Justice Service praised by inspectors

The rating represents a significant improvement for the service since the last full inspection report in December 2016, which identified several areas requiring improvement. Since then, the service has transformed the way it operates and contributed to a significant decrease in young people becoming caught up in the criminal justice system. 

Since 2017, there has been a decrease in the number of children and young people entering the criminal justice system in Lewisham, as well as in re-offending and the number of custodial sentences handed down.

HMIP inspected the Lewisham Council-run service over a period of one week in June 2024. In their report, inspectors comment on the ‘improvements in service delivery’ that have taken place at the ‘well respected and influential’ service since the last full inspection report In their 39 page judgement, inspectors observe that:

• The service is well-respected and influential with its partners, and this has resulted in a range of services to support children, families, and victims.”
• “The therapy hub is impressive, co-locating a range of therapeutic and psychological professionals”.
• “Staff, managers, and volunteers are passionate about and authentic about improving outcomes for children, families and victims.”
• “Leadership is invested in supporting their staff… [with an] extensive training offer, prioritisation of supervision, and access to clinical supervision”.

Inspectors also hail the service’s widely respected focus on anti-racist practice which is geared towards tackling the disproportionate number of young people from a Black and Ethnic Minority background entering the criminal justice system.

Today’s inspection report comes after the council-run service won two prestigious national MJ Awards – most recently for its pioneering anti-racist work in 2023 and previously for transforming its Youth Justice Service in 2020. 

Chris Barnham, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

“This report is a huge vote of confidence in the innovative and successful work that is delivering real change for some of our most vulnerable young people. I’m pleased that the inspectorate found significant improvements to the service and would like to thank the hardworking staff as well as our valued partners who have joined us on this journey.

“Coming only a few months after Ofsted hailed improvements in our children’s services, this is yet further proof that we’re delivering on our commitment to giving our young people the very best possible start in life, whatever their circumstances.” 

The full inspection report is available from the HM Inspectorate of Probation website. 

Pictured: Staff from Lewisham's Youth Justice Service in Catford