Sheffield Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) has received an overall rating of ‘Inadequate’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation. This is the second inspection of this PDU since it was established under the unification of probation services in 2021, previously being rated ‘Inadequate’ in a report published in March 2023.

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “Positively, there have been some improvements since our last inspection. There are now significantly more probation officers in post and management has worked to improve links with strategic partners. Unfortunately, this progress is not yet translating into effective work, with the quality of work across all stages of sentence delivery simply not being good enough.”

Inspectors were pleased to find Sheffield PDU had taken extensive action to improve staffing and leadership. There were more probation officers (POs) and probation services officers (PSOs) – although still not enough – and they were better engaged and more motivated. Relationships with strategic partners had also improved, notably with children’s services where a probation practitioner was now working alongside social workers and other professionals.

However, the inspection found that not enough was being done to ensure people on probation were being referred into specialist services with a view to reducing the likelihood of them reoffending, and Senior Probation Officers (SPOs) were still not having routine oversight of high-risk cases, despite this being a recommendation from our last inspection.

Inspectors also highlighted notable and “deeply concerning” deficits in the approach taken to domestic abuse and safeguarding children during the assessment and management of cases.

Mr Jones continued: “Sheffield PDU has worked hard to rebuild its foundations and staff, and management are motivated and enthusiastic. They should now focus their attention on ensuring that high-quality work is being delivered to keep people safe from harm.”

The report makes four recommendations, including to improve the use of Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) [see notes to editor] for people on probation and to review the content of protected learning days to make sure they focus on delivering high-quality assessments, risk management plans, and effective sentence management.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. This was the second inspection of Sheffield PDU since it was created in June 2021, and the first under the current inspection programme, which started in October 2023.
2. The previous inspection (published March 2023) highlighted significant concerns, which resulted in an overall rating of ‘Inadequate’, and resulted in an urgent strategic response being established by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
3. 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.
4. Sheffield PDU is one of 11 PDUs in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of the Probation Service.
5. Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) are a part of the Ministry of Justice’s probation system. CRS offer a range of services such as accommodation, education, training and employment, and personal wellbeing.
6. The report is available at gov.uk/hmiprobation on 24 October 2024.
7. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.
8. 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.
9. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in July 2024.
10. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)