Agenda item

The provide an update on the November 2015 Full Joint Inspection (FJI) of the Wolverhampton Youth Offending Team (YOT), the outcome of which demonstrated a high performing organisation.

Sally Nash, Head of Service Youth Offending Team (YOT) provided a report to advise the panel of the outcome of a full Joint Inspection (FJI) of the Wolverhampton Youth Offending Team in November 2015.  She advised that the Wolverhampton YOT demonstrated a high performing organisation with extremely high scores, setting an example across the Country.

The Head of Service advised that the inspection had been intensive with 12 inspectors and over 40 people involved, including police, health, connexions, staff and partners. An improvement plan has been approved by YOT and the senior board (SEB).

Cllr Paula Brookfield, Chair, welcomed the report as an excellent good news story and recognised that the reduction in resource had meant shrinkage but the service had reacted and excelled in what it does, she indicated that this was due to the hard work of the team and asked that the team be congratulated.

Cllr Lynne Moran also congratulated the team for their work, she indicated that she was interested in engagement in jobs and training and asked if the YOT team carry out work to match up jobs and skills with opportunity and if they are pitched at the right level of skills and trainers.  The Head of Service clarified that the question related to the post 16 offer and advised that YOT work closely with Talent Match at post 16 level to deliver literacy and numeracy; she advised that the operations manager leads on training and connecting with opportunities and that the relationship with the college is much improved. The team are currently working towards getting accreditation with the college for schemes including woodwork on a Tuesday night.

In relation to paragraph 3.7 of the report Cllr Lynne Moran asked for more information about the bespoke piece of commissioned work to evaluate YOT interventions which will inform future planning and resource allocation.  The Head of Service advised that the intention was to utilise people in a voluntary capacity from university as part of their degree.  She clarified that this is not an agreement yet, but had been looked on positively and locally to give a student opportunity.

Cllr Lynne Moran asked for further information about transition to adulthood.  The Head of Service advised that there is process, assessment document and software package available to ensure the transition is carried out slowly and securely.  She advised that there was a nominated probation officer in the YOT to ensure they understand the type of work young people are pursuing but that there are challenges due to the probation officer allowance being reduced. 

Cllr Ian Claymore echoed the comments made about the reduction in resource and congratulated the team for achieving highly in face of the cutbacks.  He referred to the influences on young people and Panel heard that often issues arise for primary aged children from the home environment; they considered that secondary school pupils are more influenced by their peer group.  The Head of Service advised that evaluation of the post 16 offer will help to see how things were working and where the successes are.

Cllr Barry Findlay welcomed the good news and asked that congratulations are passed to the YOT team.

The Head of Service advised that reduction in capacity and resource had left less time for evaluation and a real opportunity for a skilled university student to get experience.  She advised that many employees had put many extra hours into getting the data up to date for the inspection. She confirmed that a standing item would be considered at YOT Board meetings relating to gangs and child sexual exploitation (CSE) and advised that child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) was a standing item on agendas; she also confirmed that in the past there had been a psychologist attached to the YOT team.

Cllr Daniel Warren welcomed the team’s hard work and requested sight of the findings of the post 16 work when it was completed. He indicated that education can be very inflexible and agreed that there was a need to look at what is on offer.

Panel considered the need to protect and safeguard young people; they highlighted issues such as CSE, vulnerability with homeless and young people being placed in inadequate accommodation.  They considered the challenges in Wolverhampton for vulnerable young people.

Cllr Jasbinder Dehar welcomed the report; she informed the meeting that her work in a school had highlighted the need for versatility in job training such as car mechanic or carpentry and the need for simple life skills. The Head of Service recognised the issue of engaging with schools but indicated that the change in structure and management of schools means that the training can only be addressed using influence.

Cllr Ian Claymore advised that the review of volunteering in the City, to be presented to Cabinet 23 March 2016, highlighted the various volunteering roles in the Council and suggested that the analytical work referred to as university student volunteering should be taken into account. The Head of Service informed the Panel that, although not mentioned in the report, volunteers were utilised in the Magistrates Court Processes and as members of the YOT Management Board.  The Head of Service advised that for CAMHS good progress was being made to move away from the ‘tier of need’.  She advised that a report would be submitted to Health Scrutiny Panel to provide an update of the CAMHS transformation.

Resolved:

1.    That Panel welcome the strong level of performance identified in the Inspection Process.

2.    That Panel support the continuing work to address the inspection recommendations and further improve practice.

3.    That a progress report on the implementation plan be submitted to a future meeting.