The Corporate Director Education and Family Support presented a report informing Cabinet of the findings of the recent inspection of Youth Offending Services in Western Bay by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) and informing Cabinet of the steps now being taken to improve these services.   

He explained the background to youth justice services, the full joint inspection of Youth Offending Services (YOS) in Western Bay, the outcome of the inspection and the individual post-inspection plan for improvement.

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations said that this was a disappointing report and a lot of work was required in this area. She asked how they could be sure that the YOS Management Board would get it right in future. The Corporate Director, Education and Family Support, stated that a significant amount of work was required, roles had to be identified and lines of governance in place to make improvements going forward.    

The Deputy Leader concurred with these comments and agreed that the report had been difficult to read. The inspection had identified some areas as being outstanding, inconsistencies in other areas and a warning that collaboration was not always right. It was important to learn lessons from this even though they were no longer part of the Western Bay YOS. He asked if more effective scrutiny and reporting would be undertaken in future. The Corporate Director, Education and Family Support explained that measures had been put in place in line with the action plan. There were clear reporting lines and updates would be provided in a timely fashion.     

The Cabinet Member for Communities said that it was essential that the right structure was in place. He asked what preparations had been made to work with other organisations. The Corporate Director, Education and Family Support explained that they were working closely with partnership managers and there would also be an oversite by PSB. 

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help asked if there was a safeguarding issue and how we could be sure children were safe. He offered to attend the YOS Improvement Governance Board as a volunteer from a safeguarding position. The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help thanked him for his offer and explained that a priority was keeping children safe. Estyn had identified a number of strengths, work had been undertaken with an independent consultancy and the Corporate Director had worked closely with senior officers.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration explained that a cross curricular approach was required with regular progress reports. There was rationale for standing alone and collaborating in due course.

The Interim Chief Executive added that the Corporate Director for Education and Family Support was presenting the report however there was a corporate responsibility to get it right for the next inspection. 

The Leader stated that he wanted regular reports to be submitted to Cabinet and arrangements to be made for the Cabinet Member for Communities to chair the Partnership and for the Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help to attend the YOS Improvement Governance Board.  

The Corporate Director for Social Services and Wellbeing had raised with the Chair of Cwm Taf that there had been very poor attendance by representatives from the Heath Board. This was a joint responsibility for all the agencies involved and a suitable senior officer should be in attendance at these meetings. She added that she had already had a response from Cwm Taf and they would support these meetings in future.

RESOLVED:                 

i)          Cabinet noted the findings of the HMIP  inspection  and

ii)        Cabinet noted the steps being taken to improve the service.

iii)      Cabinet to receive regular reports on progress and

iv)      Arrangements to be made for the Cabinet Member for Communities to chair the Partnership and for the Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help to attend the YOS Improvement Governance Board