Summary

A vulnerable young man was a victim twice, once from the crime against him and again from the service he received from Trafford Youth Offending Team (YOT) and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council during the handling of his complaint.

The complaint

A vulnerable young man was a victim twice, once from the crime against him and again from the service he received from Trafford Youth Offending Team (YOT) and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council during the handling of his complaint.

The young adult had been subjected to witness intimidation before he was due to give evidence about a robbery and was offered the opportunity to take part in restorative justice.

The young man and his parents complained to the joint ombudsmen about the behaviour of a Youth Offending Team member and the subsequent handling of their complaint, which prevented the complainant from fully taking part in the restorative justice process.

Finding

The ombudsmen have found fault and agreed a remedy with the council and YOT.

Recommendations

To remedy the injustice the council and YOT have agreed to take the following actions:

• a senior officer from the council should write to the complainants to apologise for the maladministration identified , and for the breach of the Victims’ Code;
• Trafford YOT and the council should between them pay the complainants £2,500 for stress and frustration; and 
• the council should provide the complainants with an updated copy of the action plan, which demonstrates what actions have been undertaken as a result of their complaint.

 

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