Plans to unite probation services and return them to the public sector are progressing well but some gaps remain, according to inspectors.

HM Inspectorate of Probation examined how senior leaders, managers and staff are preparing for this change, which comes seven years after probation services in England and Wales were split up and part-privatised.

The Transforming Rehabilitation programme created a National Probation Service to manage high risk of harm offenders and 21 privately-owned Community Rehabilitation Companies to manage low and medium risk offenders.

On 26 June, staff from all these organisations will come together into a single, public sector probation service. The service will supervise around 223,000 people who are preparing to leave or have left prison, or who are serving community sentences. The workforce will be made up of more than 16,000 staff, who are currently based in 54 organisations.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “I welcome the decision to unify probation services and bring them back into the public sector. We interviewed more than 200 probation staff and managers, and the vast majority were positive about the future too.

“Creating a single probation service is a complex task with many moving parts. The Covid-19 pandemic has made planning even more difficult, as staff prepare for change alongside running day-to-day services.

“We found good progress has been made to ensure continuity of supervision and support for people on probation. A ‘lift and shift’ approach means staff transferring into the new organisation will keep their cases initially.

“Training plans are in place to upskill staff in new systems and to handle a mix of low, medium and high risk of harm cases in the longer term. Work is well underway to ensure offices, IT and other logistics are in place for day one.”

However, inspectors cited some concerns ahead of the transition.

The Inspectorate has reported on staffing problems for several years. Southern regions, in particular, struggle to attract qualified probation officers. The vacancy rate can be as high as 35 per cent in some areas.

While HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has committed to recruiting 1,000 trainee probation officers in 2020/2021, with 443 already started in July 2020 and further intakes planned throughout 2021, it will take several years for them to complete their training. Some administrative and specialist staff transferring into the organisation are also unclear on their future roles.

The new probation service has set up a ‘Dynamic Framework’ to buy in specialist services for people under supervision, for example to help individuals find suitable accommodation or to access education, training and employment.

Inspectors found that HMPPS had failed to attract potential suppliers for some services and regions and were still trying to award contracts. With the clock ticking, there is a risk some specialist services may not be in place by June.

Services that help former prisoners to resettle in the community received extra government funding in 2019, which led to major improvements. Inspectors urged probation leaders to ensure this progress is not jeopardised when existing teams and contracts are replaced by new providers.

Mr Russell concluded: “Probation services have gone through numerous changes over the past 20 years and the Transforming Rehabilitation years have been extremely difficult. The move to a single probation service will take time to bed in and must be funded properly to succeed.

“The plans set out by HM Prison and Probation Service will take several years to roll out fully – so 26 June is very much the start of the process, rather than the end.

“The necessary steps are being taken to ensure continuity of sentence management from this date, but senior leaders must also address the longer term issues that we have highlighted on a number of occasions: high vacancy rates, high caseloads and the need to improve risk management. Leaders must also create an inclusive culture that welcomes all staff, regardless of background or experience.

“We look forward to inspecting how the new service supports individuals to turn away from crime and protects the public.”

The Inspectorate has made eight recommendations to support the final stages of planning.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. The report is available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 14 May 2021 00.01.
2. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
3. Fieldwork for this inspection took place between October 2020 and February 2021. Inspectors interviewed more than 200 probation staff, managers and leaders.
4. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Catherine Chan on 07889 405930 or media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)