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

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said “Some positive steps have been taken by the leadership team at Leeds PDU to address the staffing challenges, and while their position is improving, the service still remains fragile.”

The report found significant gaps in the availability of mental health treatment requirements for people on probation. A lack of infrastructure meant that mental health treatment requirements were not being recommended by the PDU or used across Leeds, and regional commissioning teams were not identifying wider mental health pathways as a priority, despite clear gaps in provision. Inspectors also found the work to safeguard children was insufficient. Information returned from enquiries was often far too basic to form an assessment of risk, and there was little evidence of further follow-up enquiries by practitioners in the cases inspected.

Some promising practice was observed on this inspection, with streamlined accommodation referral pathways in place to support people on probation. Multi-agency approaches to addressing domestic abuse were also encouraging and comprehensive.

Mr Jones continued: “At the time of inspection, around half of the practitioners at Leeds PDU had been in post for less than three years, and leaders had a limited understanding of their training needs. With a focus on the learning and development for newer staff members, I have no doubt that Leeds PDU can improve their offer to people on probation.”

The report makes seven recommendations, including to conduct an analysis of the skills, knowledge and experience within the practitioner group and implement a system for checking that learning is consolidated into practice.

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. Leeds PDU is one of 11 PDUs in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of the Probation Service.
3. The report is available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 24 October 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 August 2024.
7. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)