Exceptional delivery earns Wakefield Youth Justice Service national praise
Tuesday, September 09, 2025
Wakefield Youth Justice Service has been rated ‘Good’ by HM Inspectorate of Probation, following a national inspection. The report highlights the service’s commitment to helping children make positive changes and keeping communities safe.
Inspectors found a vibrant, learning culture among staff, with significant improvements in service delivery since the last inspection. The delivery of services to children was rated ‘Outstanding’, recognising the exceptional quality of support provided. This means young people consistently receive the right help at the right time, tailored to their needs. The report commended the service’s trauma-informed approach and strong multi-agency partnerships, as well as the passionate staff who deliver high-quality, personalised support across the district.
“The Youth Justice Service plays a vital role in supporting some of our most vulnerable children and helping them build brighter futures. We’re incredibly proud of the strength of our partnership working — it’s a feature of everything we do across the district. This inspection result reflects the dedication of our staff and partners, and their shared commitment to making Wakefield a safer, more supportive place for everyone.”
Cllr Margaret Isherwood
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
The inspection also recognised Wakefield’s proactive approach to early intervention. Highlighting ‘Chance to Change’, a scheme that helps prevent children from entering the criminal justice system by offering tailored support before formal charges are made.
In addition, support for victims was rated ‘Good’. The service offers personalised help through its commissioned provider, ensuring victims feel heard and protected. Inspectors praised how victim support is embedded within the wider service and highlighted the importance of ongoing efforts to better understand victims’ needs and experiences, including their protected characteristics.
Martin Jones CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “Wakefield has made significant improvements since its last inspection. Practitioners understand the children they work with and focus on delivering the right support at the right time. The service is well-resourced and consistently delivers interventions that promote positive change and protect the public.”
Inspectors noted that assessing and planning activity was generally strong, with practitioners engaging children and families well and using multi-agency forums effectively. No system-wide issues were found, but the report identified areas for development, including improving consistency in assessing safety for children on out-of-court disposals and ensuring communication passports are used effectively by all professionals, including police and probation.
Wakefield Youth Justice Service sits within the Early Intervention and Prevention service and benefits from strong links to Family and Youth Hubs across the district. The service continues to champion equity, diversity and inclusion, with a strategic action plan in place to improve outcomes for all children. The report described the service’s EDI policy as a ‘living document’ that informs real-world support for children with diverse needs.
To read the full inspection report, visit https://hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/document/an-inspection-of-youth-justice-work-with-children-and-victims-in-wakefield-2025/#2-Ratings