Kirklees 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, following a previous ‘Inadequate’ rating in March 2023.

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “A reduction in staff sickness levels and staff turnover has resulted in a number of improvements at Kirklees PDU since our last inspection. Unfortunately, significant failings were found in the casework we reviewed, and the service remains ‘Inadequate’.”

Leaders at Kirklees PDU have developed strategic relationships across West Yorkshire and Kirklees and inspectors were pleased with the “unique” initiatives on offer, including intervention programmes to address knife crime. Strengths were observed in work done by practitioners to engage people on probation, and practitioners maintained an effective relationship with the person on probation in over three-quarters of cases.

However, management oversight was found to be missing, insufficient, or ineffective in nearly all cases examined during this inspection. Middle managers were often busy undertaking external-facing strategic work and did not have enough time to give adequate oversight to cases. Work to keep other people safe was also found to be weak, particularly with child safeguarding, although inspectors were encouraged that direct access to child safeguarding information would be available from October 2024.

Mr Jones continued: “A solid foundation has been created at Kirklees PDU, and the focus now needs to be shifted to improving the quality of provision for people on probation. I wish staff well in their efforts in taking our recommendations forward.”

The report makes eight recommendations, including to improve the use of interventions and services available and to fully consider the views of people on probation to inform service development.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. This was the second inspection of Kirklees PDU since it was created in June 2021, and the first under the current inspection programme, which started in October 2023.
2. 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.
3. Kirklees PDU is one of 11 PDUs in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of the Probation Service.
4. The report is available at gov.uk/hmiprobation on 14 November.
5. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.
6. 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.
7. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in August 2024.
8. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)