Children and young people at risk of, and involved in, criminal behaviour in Derby are receiving the support they need to face a more positive future, says a Government report published today.

Derby Youth Justice Service (YJS) has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ across the board by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation. It's the first YJS in the country to be rated outstanding in every category under a new inspection framework, and the first to be rated outstanding for its work to support victims of crime by young people. 

Inspectors from HM Inspectorate of Probation, which inspects youth justice services across England and Wales, visited Derby YJS in June. Their report highlights the service’s consistently strong work with children and its high-quality, personalised support for victims.

Inspectors were particularly impressed with the service's child-centred approach, comprehensive assessments, and effective partnership working.

They highlighted Derby YJS’s vision ‘to help children and young people in Derby grow up safe, happy, and free from crime by building on children’s strengths and positives to help them achieve their goals’.

The report states:

Work with children across assessing, planning and delivery was impressive and consistently strong.  Similarly, work with victims was high-quality, individualised and responsive, driving positive outcomes and safety for victims. 

It was clear that staff utilised their professional skills to help children lead their best lives and provide effective support to victims. Staff were humble in their approach, caring, thoughtful, cheering children on to achieve great things.

The service has received positive feedback from both victims and the young people they work with.

One young person said:

It’s been nice to talk about my offence without being judged, the victim awareness made me look at things from a different perspective. I’m pleased in a way that I got a referral order, as this is the only thing that really made me question my behaviour. I regret my actions and, on reflection, I can learn from this.

Another said:

I am not the easiest person but you have been patient and let me be me. I won’t let you down and I will keep working on my confidence and self-belief like you’ve taught me.

Victims said they appreciated the care they received from the service. One said:

We had no idea what the process would be for this and having you update us has been so helpful. It felt like someone other than family cared. Thankfully there are people like you, doing your job. I can't thank you enough.

Another said:

You’re the only person that has spoken to me like they actually care and want to help me, and has listened to how I feel.

Between April 2024 and April 2025, 97% of victims offered support chose to participate in restorative processes. This commitment to both victims and young people has yielded significant results for the community.

The number of young people supervised by the YJS has decreased by 37% in the past year, while serious offences have dropped by 64%. The use of secure remand has also been reduced by 80% and there was a decrease in both the volume and severity of offences after YJS intervention.

Martin Jones CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, said in the report:

The YJS partnership can rightly celebrate with pride at not just the outcome of this inspection, but the lasting change it has achieved to effectively support victims, and help children thrive, keeping them and others safe.

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, said:

We are incredibly proud to have our YJS recognised as ‘Outstanding’. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and our partners. 

It shows that our focus on helping children and young people make positive changes in their lives, while also providing exceptional support to victims, is working and making a real difference to the safety and well-being of our community.