COMMENDEE 2025-26: Sally is a Caseholder with Devon Youth Justice Service and receives a Commendation as “a shining example of best practice in youth support” – recognised by the young people, their families, and her colleagues for the dedication, professionalism, and skill she brings to the role.

This nomination was drawn up by John James – Team Manager, Devon Youth Justice Service; and signed off by Lisa Colombi – Service Manager, Devon Youth Justice Service. It followed an initial recommendation from Team Manager, Lynda Needs.

Introduction

Sally is nominated for years of dedicated and consistent service to the children, young adults, families and carers in Devon who have been known to the Youth Justice Service. There are hundreds, of not thousands, of examples we could give to demonstrate Sally’s commitment to Justice and the pursuit of happy and healthy lives of the children she works with.

Reasons for the nomination

Sally has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, compassion, and skill in her work with young people and families. Her interventions go far beyond the expectations of her role, and the impact of her work is both profound and lasting. Through her unwavering commitment, Sally has helped young people regain control of their lives, rebuild trust, and move toward brighter, safer futures. Her ability to build strong, respectful relationships with young people and their families is the foundation of her success—and a shining example of best practice in youth support.

Key Achievements and Impact:

M’s Journey: Sally’s long-term support for M and her family has been transformative. Through consistent care, advocacy, and multi-agency coordination, Sally helped M regain confidence, reduce substance misuse, return to full-time education, and prepare for her GCSEs. The risk level at the start of the intervention was high/medium, but thanks to Sally’s work, M is now on a positive trajectory with achievable goals for her future.

D’s Progress: Sally’s persistence and tailored approach enabled D to engage meaningfully with his Referral Order. He showed significant improvement in trust, school attendance, and behaviour—progress he had not achieved in previous interventions. D’s journey is a testament to Sally’s ability to adapt her approach to meet individual needs.

L’s Transformation: Sally’s trauma-informed work with L helped her understand and manage the effects of long-term domestic abuse. L has made remarkable progress in emotional regulation, school engagement, and peer relationships. Her growth has also positively influenced her mother, with both now enjoying a healthier, more supportive relationship. L’s story is one of resilience, and Sally’s role in that journey has been pivotal.

C’s Development: Over nearly three years, Sally built a trusting relationship with C and his family, guiding him through setbacks and progress alike. Her thoughtful closure of the case, including a heartfelt letter and farewell lunch, reflects the depth of her care and professionalism. C’s transformation into a hopeful, engaged young man is a direct result of Sally’s belief in his potential.

Support for the nomination

Child feedback:

a) What’s been good at coming to YJS? ‘ [Sally has]Help me put everything into place. A vent to express myself’. ‘Taught me what real friends and good relationships look like. Helped me to cope with my anger and feelings’.

b) “she helped me talk about, anything really”

Family feedback:

a) “thanks for sticking with us, throughout difficult times – you have made such a difference for us all”

Colleague feedback (4 separate professionals):

a) I have joint worked cases with sally for many years. She is professional, empathetic and will always go the extra mile for each client she works with. Her communication skills are fantastic and will always respond to emails promptly. Working with Sally is always a pleasure and I know they are in a safe pair of hand when she is the allocated the YJS officer. She is very holistic in her approach and meets the needs of every client. She always takes the time to deliver an excellent care plan and will always check up on her clients progress. She really cares.

b) I have worked closely alongside Sally with a number of children in North Devon in the youth justice service over the last 4 years. Her thoughtfulness, caring nature and commitment to working alongside children and their parents or carers has made such a difference in so many challenging circumstances – both in helping the children through times of vulnerability, instability and change, and in helping them to understand their difficulties and strengths. At the same time, she is able to assist her colleagues to work effectively alongside her in these cases. Sally demonstrates such a capacity to hold others in mind, to recognise that each interaction has meaning and can be therapeutic, while at the same time holding firm boundaries, being honest and authentic, and recognising that we work within difficult systems that are beyond our control at times. It is a pleasure and privilege to work with Sally.

c) I co-worked a case with Sally, preparing a young person for their transition to the adult probation service. Sally had worked with him for nearly three years, overcoming his initial hostility towards professionals with kindness, consistency and gentle persistence. Sally worked tirelessly with his whole family, breaking down some suspicion and fear, and reaching a point where there was enough trust for them to reach out and ask YJS for support when they needed it. Seeing Sally and this young person together, I could see how well she had come to know him. She completely understood how to talk to him in a way that he would come to the most sensible conclusion himself, without feeling he was being directed to do it. Sally didn’t give up on him, he appreciated that. He said, “I think I would have been back in jail if it hadn’t been for Sally back then”.

d) Sally goes over and above for the children she is working with to ensure better outcomes.

Sign off

Sally embodies everything you would want to see in a Youth Justice practitioner, as the supporting comments from children, families and colleagues attest to. Sometimes it’s the little things, the small wins, that make the biggest difference, and that’s where Sally’s practice shines. She quietly just gets on with things, getting alongside children and creating the conditions for relationships to flourish and confidence to grow. The magic of ordinary is what Sally so skilfully and unassumingly facilitates for the children she works with, but for so many of them that is exactly what they need to thrive.

Lisa Colombi, Service Manager, Devon Youth Justice Service