Rochdale youth offending team above national average

The report for the reinspection of Youth Offending work in Rochdale has been published and has judged that the public protection and the safeguarding aspects of the work were done to a high level of quality.

This Core Case Reinspection of youth offending work in Rochdale took place as part of the Inspection of Youth Offending programme.

Inspectors, who examined a representative sample of youth offending cases from the area, found that initial assessments and screenings were undertaken promptly and to a sufficient standard. Good use was made of the specialist resources available to the Youth Offending Team (YOT) but more attention is needed to be given to the quality of risk management plans and vulnerability management plans.

Safeguarding, public protection and the work we done to make individuals less likely to reoffend was also judged to be done well and Rochdale is now performing above the national average.

Councillor Teresa Fitzsimons, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families said: "We are really pleased with the improvements that have been made and proud that the Youth Offending Team is now providing a good service to both the community in terms of crime reduction and to the young offenders in need of their support.”

Alan MacDonald, Assistant Chief Inspector, said:“Overall, we consider this a very encouraging set of findings that reflects very positively on the work that has been undertaken following the initial inspection we carried out in May 2009.”