His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) has published its first report on Medway’s Youth Justice Service under its new inspection framework.
Medway’s Youth Justice Service has been rated as ‘requires improvement’ overall, with its planning and delivery both rated as ‘good’.
HMIP carried out its planned inspection in May 2026, and published the report today (Tuesday, 4 August).
Medway’s Youth Justice Service is a multi-agency team which works with children and young people aged between 10 and 17-years-old who have committed an offence.
The report includes 12 recommendations which would have a positive impact on the quality of youth justice services in Medway. The recommendations include:
- Ensuring that children are offered and able to access education, training and employment appropriate to their age and levels of need.
- Developing and embedding consistent and effective victim safety practice within the work with children and victims.
- Improving the flow of information between Kent Police and the Youth Justice Service.
Within the report, the inspectors recognised that improvement activity and increased investment in the Youth Justice Service had been made since its last inspection.
The report highlighted that although the Youth Justice Service does not have a dedicated education, training or employment worker in post, it was promising that the service had already recognised the importance of developing and promoting improved relationships with education provision – with funding for a dedicated Education, Training and Employment post agreed.
Inspectors also said that the initial engagement with victims was strong, but support for victims needs to be more consistent and embedded within the wider Youth Justice Service work to ensure effective and coordinated approaches to service delivery. However, it was recognised that the leadership of the service has been strengthened through additional management and the recent appointment of a dedicated victim worker – showing a commitment to improve services.
The report also says that the Youth Justice Service has a ‘culture of openness to learning how to improve outcomes for children’ and that practitioners in Medway are ‘aspirational’ for the young people they work with, committed and skilful in engaging with them and their families, and able to quickly build meaningful and trusting relationships.
Cllr Adam Price, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “We accept and acknowledge the findings from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation’s report, and remain firmly committed to continuing to strengthen the support that young people who have offended, and their victims, receive from the relevant agency.
“The report also highlights some of the good work we already do too. I was particularly pleased to see the culture of openness within the service, and the team’s ability to form strong and impactful relationships with young people and their families, being highlighted by inspectors. Every single child matters in Medway, and we will use the feedback from HMIP to guide the improvements that are already underway within the Youth Justice Service.”