The Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board (ISOB) has released its final report on the Police Race Action Plan - and its findings are sobering. After five years of monitoring progress, the Board concludes that reform across UK policing remains limited, inconsistent and fragile. For organisations like Just for Kids Law, which advocate for fairness and accountability in systems that shape young lives, this report is a crucial wake up call.
What has the ISOB found?
The ISOB was established to provide independent oversight of the Police Race Action plan, which is a national initiative aimed at tackling racism and racial disparity within policing. Its latest report reveals that only 6 of 44 police forces have publicly acknowledged institutional racism. Without this baseline recognition, the report argues, genuine progress toward an anti-racist police service is impossible.
The board's chair, Abimbola Johnson summarises the issue starkly:
"Progress has been slow, uneven and too dependent on individual effort rather than institutional change."
This echoes decades of reform efforts, from Scarman to Macpherson - where commitments to racial equity have faltered without structural accountability.
What was added in last week's release?
Last week's publication wasn't just a restatement of the ISOB's long standing concerns, it included new, sharper warnings about the state of race and policing now that the Board's oversight has ended. The final update added:
- A clear statement that progress has stalled, with some forces reversing earlier commitments once external pressure reduced.
- Fresh data showing limited adoption of key reforms, including the fact that only a small minority of forces have acknowledged institutional racism.
- A warning about the 'accountability gap' created by the end of the ISOB's mandate - meaning there is now no independent body monitoring whether forces follow through on race equity commitments.
- A call for statutory oversight, emphasising that voluntary participation has failed and that legally enforceable mechanisms are now necessary.
- A final reflection on trust, noting that black communities, especially young people, have seen little meaningful change in their day to day experiences with policing.
The final update shifts the tone from cautious optimism to a much more urgent message: without structural accountability, the Police Race Action Plan risks becoming another abandoned reform effort.
Why does this matter for young people?
For young black people and other marginalised communities, policing is often the frontline of systemic inequality. The ISOB's findings show that despite millions invested and years of promises, the lived experiences of these communities remain largely unchanged. Voluntary programmes have allowed for forces to disengage without consequence, leaving young people exposed to the same patterns of over-policing and mistrust.
At Just for Kids Law, we see how these failures ripple through the justice system. This ranges from stop and search to youth court outcomes. When policing reform stalls, it reinforces cycles of disadvantage that affect children's safety, confidence, and sense of belonging.
What needs to change?
The ISOB calls for a shift from activity to outcomes - moving beyond reports and training sessions to measurable improvements in how black communities experience policing. It recommends embedding race equity metrics into inspection frameworks and introducing statutory accountability, so progress cannot simply fade when programmes end.
This is not just about policy; it's about rebuilding trust. Young people deserve a police service that listens, learns, and acts with integrity.
Our Takeaway