Lancashire Youth Service service rated 'good' by inspectors

Lancashire Youth Justice Service (YJS) received the rating from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation, which praised its focus on supporting children and protecting communities.

The inspection took place amid heightened public scrutiny following the Southport murders in 2024 and the ongoing public inquiry, though inspectors stressed that their review was not part of the inquiry nor an examination of the incident itself.

Perpetrator Axel Rudakubana lived in Banks, Lancashire, when he killed three young girls and injured many more.

Martin Jones, HM chief inspector of probation, said: "As an independent inspectorate, our role was to provide assurance to government, partners and the public about the quality of youth justice services being delivered and the extent to which they meet the needs of children, victims and the community, measured against our standards.

"We found strong leadership and a clear commitment to development and ongoing improvement, with senior leaders establishing a positive organisational culture underpinned by a clear vision and a strong understanding of local needs and priorities."

Inspectors noted that Lancashire YJS works with children who have complex needs and vulnerabilities and commended the service for maintaining a clear focus on achieving positive change while addressing emerging patterns of offending, including exploitation and serious violence.

Staff were described as well supported, motivated, and effective in building relationships with children and families.

The service’s work with victims was also highlighted, with inspectors noting that victims’ needs and wishes were identified and considered, and appropriate support was made available for those wishing to engage with the service.

However, the report identified areas for improvement.

These included inconsistent attendance and engagement from members of the management board, inconsistent access to education, training and employment opportunities, and delays in the assessment of children with neurodiverse needs.

Martin Jones said: "This inspection found the YJS was delivering consistently high-quality work with children and victims during a period of significant challenge and scrutiny."

"Given the significant scrutiny they have faced, staff and leaders in Lancashire deserve credit for ensuring a continued focus on the day-to-day work of the YJS to help keep children and their communities safe."

The inspectorate made nine recommendations, including ensuring effective leadership oversight through independent chairing and improving partner engagement.

Other recommendations focused on improving timely access to mental health support.

The Ministry of Justice was also urged to work with the Department for Education and Ofsted to address challenges linked to the concentration of children’s homes in the area.