A probation service in the East Midlands must improve the quality of its work to better protect the public, according to inspectors.

HM Inspectorate of Probation inspected the Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland Community Rehabilitation Company (DLNR CRC) last autumn. Inspectors looked at 10 aspects of the CRC’s work and gave an overall ‘Requires improvement’ rating.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “We last inspected DLNR CRC in September 2018. Despite the action taken by senior leaders, the overall rating has not changed and this is disappointing.

“In particular, we are concerned by the quality of the CRC’s public protection work. The weak attention to safeguarding concerns and the lack of coordination with other agencies is this CRC’s Achilles’ heel. The CRC should improve the coordination of risk management with organisations such as the police and children’s social services to identify and manage potential risks of harm, and better protect the public.”

DLNR CRC supervises more than 8,400 low and medium-risk offenders across the four counties. These individuals are serving community sentences or preparing to leave or have left prison.

At the time of the inspection, frontline probation staff were responsible for an average of 58 cases each.

Inspectors noted a “deterioration” in the management of cases compared to the previous inspection.

Mr Russell said: “Probation staff assess, plan, deliver and review activity with individuals under supervision. This activity needs to strike the right balance between rehabilitation and public protection.

“In the inspected cases, we found the management of risk of harm was not good enough at every stage. We have, therefore, rated all four aspects of case supervision ‘Inadequate’ – our lowest possible grade.

“Following the 2018 inspection, we recommended the CRC improve its case management practices. Little progress has been made over the past year.”

Inspectors did note the CRC has some strengths.

Individuals can access a comprehensive range of services to support them to move away from offending and to lead crime-free lives. Examples include projects in Derby and Leicester to improve access to accommodation.

DLNR CRC also trains and supports individuals to become peer mentors, helping others to lead crime-free lives. Inspectors found this activity “impressive and innovative”.

The strongest area of performance is the Through the Gate service, which supports people as they prepare to leave prison and resettle in the community. The CRC received additional funding from central government in 2019, which has increased staff numbers working in this area and helped to set up initiatives to improve access to accommodation. As a result, the Inspectorate rated the Through the Gate service ‘Outstanding’.

DLNR CRC is owned by the Reducing Reoffending Partnership, which comprises one private company and two charities. The partnership also owns neighbouring Staffordshire and West Midlands Community Rehabilitation Company.

The National Probation Service will take over the management of all offenders in the community in England and Wales from next year. Planning has started with the Reducing Reoffending Partnership on the transition and inspectors noted the positive relationship between the two organisations.

Inspectors have made eight recommendations with the aim of improving probation services in the region.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. The report is available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 03 March 2020 00.01.
2. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
3. Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland Community Rehabilitation Company supervised 8,468 cases as of June 2019.
4. The Reducing Reoffending Partnership is made up of Ingeus (a private company, now owned by APM) and two charities: St Giles Trust and Change, Grow, Live.
5. Fieldwork for this inspection took place between September and November 2019.
6. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Catherine Chan on 07889 405930 or media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)