A probation service in the North East has improved its overall performance and is excellent in parts, according to inspectors.

HM Inspectorate of Probation conducted a routine inspection of Durham Tees Valley Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) in November and December.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “We last inspected Durham Tees Valley CRC in 2018 and we gave the service an overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’.

“I am pleased to see the CRC has responded to our recommendations. We found the quality of work with people under probation supervision has improved and there is much better support for individuals leaving prison.

“We found improvements in five out of the 10 aspects of work that we inspected. As a result, we have raised the CRC’s overall rating from ‘Requires improvement’ to ‘Good’.”

The CRC is owned by a not-for-profit consortium made up of nine partners. The CRC supervises more than 3,600 low and medium-risk offenders across Durham and Teesside. These individuals are serving community sentences or preparing to leave or have left prison.

Inspectors rated three aspects of work ‘Outstanding’ – the highest possible mark.

Mr Russell said: “The CRC has maintained its ‘Outstanding’ rating for leadership. Experienced and committed leaders are driving change and developing the workforce’s skills to improve the quality of work.

“The CRC is also making better use of information and facilities compared to our previous visit.

“The biggest area of improvement has been to the Through the Gate service, which supports people as they prepare to leave prison and resettle in the community.

“The Ministry of Justice has provided additional funding so the CRC has increased staffing and put a more effective service in place. We were particularly impressed by the way mentors and volunteers build positive working relationships with service users.”

Inspectors also noted the success of two projects.

A unique scheme in Middlesbrough provides medical treatment and intensive support to a small number of offenders who are entrenched heroin users. The scheme aims to support individuals to stop reoffending and to turn their lives around, while also reducing the cost and strain on public services.

The CRC’s work with the charity Three13 was also praised. The partnership supports people who have been sentenced to complete unpaid work to access training and employment opportunities while doing so.

Between October 2019 and January 2020, the partnership helped more than 40 individuals to gain a vocational qualification and a further four people have found employment.

One participant spoke highly of the scheme: “My probation officer suggested working in the kitchens at a community centre. It wasn’t my calling, but I gave it a try. By being there, I was helping other staff and learning new skills. Thanks to this place, I am at my best and I have got my family back. My probation officer and this place have saved my life.”

The Inspectorate’s report found some areas for improvement.

Mr Russell said: “Since our last inspection, probation staff have improved the way they identify and manage potential risks of harm. However, further work needs to be done to protect potential and actual victims in domestic abuse and child safeguarding cases.

“The CRC uses information about individuals’ past behaviours and convictions, but this is often accepted at face value. Probation staff need to exercise professional curiosity – they need to analyse the information they receive, cross-reference with other agencies, and assess the potential impact of reoffending.”

The Inspectorate has made six recommendations, with the aim of improving Durham and Tees Valley CRC’s work even further.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. The report is available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 02 April 2020 00.01.
2. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
3. The Inspectorate inspects and rates 10 aspects of work in each probation service, and gives an overall rating. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale to rate services: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’.
4. Durham Tees Valley CRC operates as a subsidiary of Achieving Real Change in Communities, a not-for-profit consortium comprising nine partners from different sectors.
5. Durham Tees Valley CRC supervised 3,666 people, as at 30 September 2019 (Source: Ministry of Justice).
6. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Catherine Chan on 07889 405930 or media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)