YORK’S Youth Offending Team has been praised by independent inspectors.

The assessment, led by experts from other youth offending teams across the country, highlighted the operational strength of York’s team and the commitment of its management board.

It also praised staff’s expertise in engaging with and managing young people with challenging behaviour, the commitment of the team’s partner agencies and the team’s commitment to restorative justice, which brings together crime victims and those responsible to find a positive way forward.

Coun Janet Looker, cabinet member for young people at City of York Council, said York’s team worked with some of the most challenging and vulnerable young people in the city.

She said: “The work that they do has a huge impact not only on minimising re-offending rates in York, but also changing the life chances for young people who have got mixed up in criminal activity.”