NCJ Number
214194
Date Published
2006
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This assessment of the work of the Youth Offending Team (YOT) in the London borough of Hillingdon focused on its management, work in the courts, work with children and youth in the community, work with children and youth under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system, and work with victims under the policies and practices of restorative justice.
Abstract
The Youth Offender Service had recently undergone a period of growth and was in the process of developing new aspects of its work. Although these initiatives showed early promise, attention should be given to the appropriate management structures necessary to support this work, with a focus on performance management. YOT partnerships with other agencies were generally strong, although the inspection found a number of gaps in services. There were few services for children and youth not attending school or for adolescents with severe mental health needs. Improvements are needed in services for victims and the implementation of restorative justice concepts, including the assessment and management of the risk of harm. Improved consultation is needed with children and youth as well as their parents/caretakers. The YOT has done well in working with non-British nationals, qualifying it to share its work in this area with other YOTs. The fieldwork for the inspection was done in September and November 2005. Prior to the inspection, the YOT was asked to submit selected advance information and complete a self-assessment that identified strengths and areas for improvement. The fieldwork lasted 1 week and consisted of an assessment of a representative sample (n=30-80) of individual case files; meetings with appropriate managers, representatives of partner organizations, and members of the YOT staff; and contact with children and youth, their parents/caretakers, and victims of offenses committed by children and youth supervised by the YOT.