 Our Youth Offending Team (YOT) is celebrating an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.
Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said, “The children supervised by West Berkshire YOT are thriving. This much-deserved ‘Outstanding’ rating is the result of hard work, dedication, and determination to support each child equally and deter them from reoffending – the service is a credit to the local community.”
West Berkshire YOT has been focussed on preventing and diverting as many young people from offending as possible. For those young people who are working with YOT, there has been a notable increase in complexity in the last two years. The team has not only risen to the challenge, but exceeded all expectations.
Dave Wraight, Acting Head of Children and Family Services says, “We’re obviously delighted with the report. I’m sure I speak for the entire team when I say that seeing a young person making real and sustained change from a difficult start is the ultimate reward. We’re always striving to be better and are already working on recommendations within the report.”
Read more on our website.
BBOWT's Emma Hine with pupils at The Willows Primary School in Newbury who are part of the Trust's Wild West Berkshire project. Picture: Pete Hughes
We’ve teamed up with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) to launch an innovative pilot project in schools to teach children that being healthy can also help the natural world. Wild West Berkshire (WWB) talks about eating healthier food, taking more exercise and how that helps wildlife and tackling climate change.
From befriending seasonal veg to playing wildlife bingo, the children are learning about the links between a healthy body and a healthy planet, all while getting active and spending time outdoors. Scuttling sideways like a crab, swooping like an owl and leaping like a frog are fun ways to learn about nature, but are also a fun way to get valuable exercise which the children learn is good for their physical and mental health.
 From 1 April 2023 Berkshire Women’s Aid (BWA) will offer services to anyone affected by domestic abuse in West Berkshire. The local organisation are taking over responsibility for the support which was previously provided by A2Dominion (ADAS).
BWA will provide confidential, emotional and practical support to people of all genders who are experiencing or fleeing domestic abuse in West Berkshire as well as safe accommodation and specially trained outreach workers.
The BWA Domestic Abuse helpline 0808 801 0882 is available 24/7. Available both to professionals and anyone experiencing domestic abuse, as well as those who might be concerned about someone else.
Advice and support is also available on the BWA website via email
For further information including details of the national helpline and reporting Domestic Abuse to the police please visit our website.
Anyone in immediate danger should call 999 and ask for the police. Press 55 if unable to talk and assistance will be provided without having to speak.
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