Calderdale Youth Justice Service Praised for Supporting Young People Despite Inspection Rating

Inspectors have highlighted strong relationships with young people, excellent education support and positive progress in reducing reoffending, although Calderdale's Youth Justice Service has been rated as requiring improvement.

Calderdale's Youth Justice Service has received praise for its work supporting young people and preventing further offending, despite being given an overall rating of 'Requires improvement' following an inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation.

The inspection, carried out in May 2026, examined how the service supports children and young people who have come into contact with the police or courts.

The findings, published on Tuesday 6 October, identified several examples of good practice, particularly in building relationships with young people, supporting education and employment opportunities, and helping children make positive changes in their lives.

However, inspectors also identified areas where improvements are needed to ensure consistently effective support and protection for children, victims and communities.

Strong relationships and positive outcomes

Calderdale Youth Justice Service brings together professionals from social work, policing, probation, education, health and housing to prevent offending and reoffending.

Inspectors praised the service's personalised approach, highlighting how staff take time to understand young people's circumstances and involve them in decisions about their future.

The report also recognised the service's work with victims and described its support for young people accessing education, training and employment as excellent.

According to Calderdale Council, the partnership's work has contributed to a reduction in the number of young people entering police custody, while the proportion of children who reoffend in Calderdale is below the national average.

Feedback from children and their families was overwhelmingly positive, with many saying they felt listened to, respected and supported.

One young person told inspectors that being able to speak openly about their problems had been particularly important.

Areas requiring improvement

Despite the positive findings, inspectors recommended improvements in several areas, including:

• Strengthening assessments and planning to ensure children and communities are protected.

• Improving support for victims and making greater use of their feedback.

• Working with West Yorkshire Police to review how motoring offences involving young people are addressed, including opportunities to avoid formal court action where appropriate.

The service has already begun responding to these recommendations.

New Youth Justice Plan for 2026/27

Calderdale Council's Cabinet endorsed the updated Youth Justice Plan 2026/27 at its meeting on Monday 5 October.

The plan will now be submitted to Full Council for approval.

It sets out priorities for preventing youth offending, reducing reoffending, supporting victims and improving opportunities for young people.

The council says progress includes significant reductions in reoffending, no custodial sentences for Calderdale children during the period covered by its reported progress, and increased participation in education, training and employment.

New initiatives include knife crime prevention work and resilience programmes for young women.

Inspectors recognise strong foundations

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, welcomed the positive work already taking place.

"We saw many elements of strong practice at Calderdale YJS, with this solid foundation, and the enthusiasm and positivity of staff, they are in an ideal position to make the changes needed to enable the service to thrive."

Councillor Tim Holden, Calderdale Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People's Services, said the inspection provided an opportunity to build on existing achievements.

He welcomed the report's recognition of the service's strengths while acknowledging the need for further improvements.

Chief Inspector May Preston, from West Yorkshire Police, also reaffirmed the force's commitment to working alongside the council and other partners.

She said early intervention, strong relationships and effective partnership working were essential to helping young people move away from offending.

The council says its priority is to build on the service's strengths while addressing the recommendations made by inspectors, with the aim of improving outcomes for young people, victims and communities across Calderdale.