The probation service, also known as a Probation Delivery Unit (PDU*), in Kirklees has been rated as ‘Inadequate’ following an inspection by HM Inspectorate of Probation.

This inspection is one of four carried out in the Probation Service – Yorkshire and the Humber region. The other three are Sheffield PDU (rated ‘Inadequate’), Hull and East Riding PDU (rated ‘Requires improvement’) and North and North East Lincolnshire PDU (rated ‘Requires improvement’). These reports were published on 30 March 2023.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “The rating of ‘Inadequate’ for Kirklees Probation Delivery Unit reflects a very challenging period for the service, struggling to reduce workloads, retain and recruit staff and ensure people on probation have access to the services they need to prevent further offending. At the time of our inspection, this wasn’t working effectively. However, we found evidence of improvements which, though in their infancy, show the team at Kirklees are making progress.”

The inspection found morale to be high amongst frontline staff and they were committed, but under significant pressure and overwhelmed by their workload. The Inspectorate wants to see the management team provide better support to prevent burnout by way of helping probation officers prioritise their work. It is hoped recent efforts to recruit new staff may ease this pressure going forward and provide a more consistent approach to dealing with individuals on probation.

Inspectors were concerned about the lack of specific programmes to address some of the most serious offending. We also found people on probation are not always referred to the services they need, and that frontline staff aren’t always clear on how to access these services. However, people on probation spoke highly of their probation officers, telling us they felt they were supportive and easy to talk to.

Mr Russell continued: “As with many areas we visit, my main concern is that assessments of the risk a person on probation may pose are not being completed in all cases. Where these assessments are taking place, the work is poor, and underestimate the nature of the risk. This must improve, as a priority, for the protection of potential victims, the local community and beyond.”

This inspection made 12 recommendations. Seven of these were made to the PDU itself, including that all risk assessments must consider domestic abuse, safeguarding and child safeguarding as a priority. Three recommendations, made to the regional probation service, included improving the availability of accredited programmes to prevent reoffending. The final two recommendations are for HMPPS at a national level to address and relate to the need to retain and recruit staff.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. *Probation Delivery Units (PDUs) replaced Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) and the National Probation Service (NPS), which merged into a unified Probation Service in June 2021.
2. This probation service sits within the Probation Service – Yorkshire and the Humber region.
3. These reports are available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 30 March 2023 00.01.
4. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
5. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’. The Inspectorate rates specific aspects of each service and also gives an overall rating.
6. Fieldwork for these inspections took place in January 2023.
7. For media enquiries, please contact media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)