Inspection Report of Youth Offending Work in Kent scored as 'Disappointing'

An inspectors report on Youth Offending work in Kent says that "substantial" improvement is required. The inspectors report gave the following scores:

• Safeguarding - action to protect the young person Kent Scores 59% (National Average 68%) Comment: SUBSTANTIAL improvement required
• Public Protection - Risk of Harm Kent scores 53% (National average 63%) Comment: SUBSTANTIAL improvement required
• Public Protection - Likelihood of Reoffending Kent Score 68% (National average 70%) Comment: MODERATE improvement required

The foreword to the report by Julie Fox, HM Assistant Chief Inspector, comments:

"We also found that substantial work was needed to ensure that the quality and timeliness of assessments of Risk of Harm to others and vulnerability improved.

"Too often, known factors that should have been used to assess the potential for Risk of Harm to others and to the individual, were not seen as relevant.

"We found a good understanding of some diversity factors but this was not consistent. At times, the needs of some groups of children and young people were not recognised or addressed. This had led to some interventions not being as effective as they could have been.

"Overall, we consider this a disappointing set of findings."

Folkestone West County Councillor Tim Prater commented:

"This is yet another report where Kent is seen as not doing well enough on looking after our young people. Following the damning Ofsted report on safeguarding and looked after children last year, this is another example of Kent just not doing well enough for our young people.

"I hope that lessons will be learned and that Kent County Council will be responding to this report urgently and positively to get the outcomes we would all want to see."