Croydon Youth Offending Service needs to improve how it assesses the risk of harm posed by young offenders, a new report states.
The joint inspection by HM Inspectorate of Probation alongside colleagues from the criminal justice, social care, education and health inspectorates, followed a critical core case inspection.
The inspection focused on five key areas including reducing the likelihood of reoffending, protecting the public, protecting children and young people, ensuring that the sentence is served and the effectiveness of governance.
Inspectors found work to protect the public and actual or potential victims of crime was poor and noted previous convictions and behaviour were often ignored and little attention was given to the victim.
Work to reduce reoffending was considered unsatisfactory; the report states while work with young people and their parents or carers was good, deficiencies of assessments and planning meant the work was not always focused on the areas of most need.
The report also stated governance was not effective and as a result the YOS had failed to implement recommendations from previous inspections.
However, inspectors were pleased to find that overall, work to ensure the sentence was served was good and case managers paid attention to the welfare of the young people they were working with.
Liz Calderbank, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: "These issues had been identified in previous inspections, but the Youth Crime Prevention and Youth Offending Service Management Board had not held the team to account for implementing the recommendations and performance continued to be unsatisfactory."
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