Staff working with young offenders criticised
- 12 Mar
Inspectors have found that work aimed at preventing young offenders re-offending is hampered by "distrust" amongst the staff responsible.
A report by three inspection bodies has said that staff aimed at helping reduce re-offending in young offenders are "too often suspicious of each other" reports the BBC.
The report, by the Care Quality Commission, Ofsted and HM Inspectorate of Probation, examined "resettlement services" for young offenders - those aged 10-17.
"In some cases this led to a passive acceptance of failure; for example that accommodation could not be arranged within an appropriate timescale, or that vague education, training and employment plans were good enough," the report said.
"Neither set of staff seemed prepared to challenge each other on behalf of the child."
2013 figures revealed that over two thirds of children reoffended within twelve months of release.
Chief Inspector of Probation Alan MacDonald said: "These are shocking statistics.
"We have known for at least a decade what helps children leaving custody to stop offending. Too few of these children are being provided with what they need to lead crime-free lives."
Lin Hinnigan, chief executive of the Youth Justice Board which oversees youth justice services, said: "The successful resettlement of young people leaving custody is a key priority for the YJB and we welcome the findings within this report."
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