Bedfordshire Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) has received an overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “The picture at Bedfordshire PDU is again similar to what we are seeing elsewhere, with staff shortages and high workloads continuing to impact service delivery. What was positive at Bedfordshire is that senior leaders have taken steps to mitigate these challenges and our inspection saw early indications of the success of their initiatives.”

The report found strategic partnerships to be a strength of the service with effective information sharing processes in place with the police and children’s services. However, this information was not routinely used when assessing the risk of harm to others in cases relating to child safeguarding or domestic abuse. The service needs to improve the quality of work in assessing, managing, and reviewing the risk of harm.

In response to the high vacancies and workloads of staff, some services have been deprioritised by Bedfordshire PDU, which is why limited evidence of service delivery was found during this inspection. Ultimately, the rehabilitation of people on probation and the quality of work to keep communities safe is being affected by these measures.

Inspectors were concerned that some staff reported feeling unsafe and had experienced racism, discrimination, and poor behaviour at their workplace. Whilst senior leaders are taking steps to address this, it is critical this work continues to be prioritised to break down cultural and morale barriers at Bedfordshire PDU.

Mr Jones added: “The leadership at Bedfordshire PDU are determined to improve, and whilst there were disappointing aspects of our inspection, we hope they continue driving forward progress for the benefit of their staff and people on probation.”

The report makes eight recommendations to Bedfordshire PDU, including to ensure domestic abuse and child safeguarding information is analysed sufficiently, and to address actual and potential barriers for staff and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

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. Bedfordshire PDU is one of eight PDUs in the East of England region.
3. The report is available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 01 August 2024.
4. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice 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 this inspection took place in May 2024.
7. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)