York Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) has received an overall rating of ‘Inadequate’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation. This is the first inspection of York PDU since it was established under the unification of probation services in 2021.

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “York PDU faces some significant challenges in delivering a high-quality service under its current operating model. Despite the resilience of senior probation officers (SPOs) their wide spans of responsibility are spread even thinner due to the lack of staff recruited at this level.”

York PDU is the smallest in England and Wales, and inspectors found problems observed nationally in relation to recruitment and staffing were particularly impactful here as there was little scope for resilience. The PDU’s small size placed limitations on SPO recruitment, resulting in a detrimental impact on some managers’ health and wellbeing, and impacting their ability to perform the job to the standard needed to protect communities and promote desistance.

While the quality of assessments was well focused on engaging the person on probation, the identification and understanding of protected characteristics and their potential impact on engagement was insufficient in half of the cases examined. Access to safeguarding and domestic abuse enquires was found to be a strength within court reports, however enquiries were not completed in all relevant prison release cases. Despite some strengths, inspectors observed a lack of professional curiosity in following up indicators of potential risk.

Mr Jones continued: “Some elements of positive practice were observed at York PDU, particularly around the availability of services available for people on probation. If HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) address the resourcing problems the PDU face, the foundations are in place to drive improvements and better protect the public.”

The report makes eight recommendations. Seven of these recommendations are for York PDU, including to develop practitioner’s confidence and skills in the use of professional curiosity. One of these recommendations is for HMPPS, to review the resource model for York PDU and its ability to deliver within it.

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. This was the first inspection of York PDU since it was created in June 2021.
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. York 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 12 December.
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 September 2024.
8. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)