Youth Offending Teams were playing an important part in the Troubled Families (TF) programme in their work to reduce reoffending by children and young people, but needed to address some practical issues, according to independent inspectors.

The report, The Contribution of Youth Offending Teams to the Work of the Troubled Families Programme in England reflects the findings of HM Inspectorate of Probation, the Care Quality Commission, Ofsted and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary. The inspection focused on the part played by Youth Offending Teams on preventing and reducing offending and tackling antisocial behaviour by children and young people.

Inspectors found many examples where the work had the potential to bear fruit and the interim reoffending patterns were positive, despite the relatively short period of time the local services had been running. However, the limited evaluation which had taken place meant it was not easy to track outcomes from the work. Inspectors also found some partner agencies, such as YOTs, children’s social care services and educational services, had made a considerable investment in partnership working, and there were some innovative approaches from police and health care staff.

The full report is available here.