Bedfordshire Youth Justice Service rated 'requires improvement'
Bedfordshire Youth Justice Service has been rated ‘requires improvement’ following an inspection which found weaknesses in safeguarding, risk assessment and protecting children and the wider community.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation said there were inconsistent practices across assessment and delivery in its work to keep children and communities safe.
The inspection of Bedfordshire Youth Justice Service (YJS), which covers Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire, found examples where the service “did not respond sufficiently to changes in circumstances which could affect the child’s safety or the safety of others”.
Inspectors also said concerns linked to exploitation, vulnerability and possible retaliation were “not fully understood or analysed” in some cases.
The service received an overall score of 6/12, with ‘requires improvement’ ratings for assessing and delivery work with children, although planning was rated ‘good’ and work with victims was also rated ‘good’.
Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “Staff at Bedfordshire YJS consistently demonstrated a strong determination to support victims and help children achieve their full potential, however inconsistencies in practice have resulted in an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’.”
Direct work with victims was found to be a “clear strength” at Bedfordshire YJS, with tailored interventions to the individual needs and circumstances of the victim.
However, strategic oversight of this area needed further strengthening with more robust monitoring and evaluation arrangements.
Mr Jones continued, “Improvements needed to be made at Bedfordshire YJS, but the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff will provide a solid foundation from which these changes can be implemented, and I wish them every success in their journey.”
The Inspectorate’s report makes four recommendations, with two recommendations for Bedfordshire YJS, including to strengthen the quality of management oversight.
The final two recommendations are for the Bedfordshire YJS partnership board, including prioritising strengthening strategic oversight of work with victims to ensure consistent governance, scrutiny, and direction across the partnership.
The report praised staff as “enthusiastic, committed, and caring” and highlighted positive work around speech and language support, SEND needs, restorative justice and anti-racist practice.
Inspectors said outcomes included a reoffending rate of 18.4%, below the reported national average of 31 to 34%, and a reduction in first-time entrants in Bedford borough from 219 to 131 per 100,000.
The report also highlighted concerns around staff turnover and continuity of support, with some children telling inspectors they had experienced several changes in case managers over “relatively short” periods.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) approached Bedfordshire YJS and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for comment because the report highlighted multi-agency partnership working, victim services and OPCC-funded participation work.
Bedfordshire YJS was asked what action was being taken in response to concerns around safeguarding, exploitation risks, knife-related offending, self-harm, staffing pressures and turnover, and what improvements had been made since inspectors carried out fieldwork in March 2026.
The service did not provide a response before publication.
The report also said the YJS had secured three years of funding from the OPCC to support participation and engagement work with children.
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard, said: "This is jointly managed by Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Councils.
"The PCC part commissions one important service provided by the Youth Justice Service. This is to deliver the Triage and Diversion provision in Bedfordshire Police custody suites, delivering diversionary activity for children and young people in the county.
"The PCC works closely with the councils, the police and other partners to ensure that children are safe, especially vulnerable children and those caught in the criminal justice system. Whilst not directly responsible for the Youth Justice Service, the PCC is committed to supporting these partners to improve services so that all children and wider society benefit through partnership working.”